A clicking jaw can be unsettling especially when it happens often. It can be especially unsettling if it is accompanied by pain or other symptoms like grinding or constant headaches. While it can be a one-time or seldom-time annoyance, your jaw clicking can also be a sign of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. It is important to talk to your dental team in Sheridan, WY, if you believe you may be living with TMJ disorder so that you can get treatment.
TMJ Disorder
Your temporomandibular joints are the joints on either side of your jaw and they are responsible for your jaw’s movement. They allow for some of the most complex movement in your body with mobility from side to side, front to back, and up and down. One of the most common reasons for TMJ disorder to develop is strain. Strain on the joints can put pressure on the nearby nerve. Strain on the jaw joints may come from misalignment or teeth grinding. The disorder can cause symptoms like clicking or popping of the jaw, painful lockjaw, chronic headaches, and more. For some people, the symptoms can be painless. For some, the symptoms can be mildly painful but not show up often enough to cause concern. Unfortunately for some, the symptoms can be quite painful and happen frequently enough to become debilitating.
Relief with Treatment
First, your dentist will need to diagnose you with TMJ disorder to rule out any other possibilities. If the cause of the disorder is treatable, that may need to happen. In some cases, it may just be that some bad habits like chewing on pencils or ice need to stop. An oral appliance may be used to help ease the strain put on the joints. The goal of the treatment would be to provide relief from the symptoms of TMJ disorder so that it does not disrupt your life.
TMJ disorder is incredibly common
Do you have the symptoms of TMJ disorder? Schedule an consultation by calling Grinnell Street Dental in Sheridan, WY, at (307) 672-7567. We also proudly serve the residents of Gillette, Billings, Miles City, and all surrounding communities.
