The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull. This joint allows you to move your jaw so that you can eat, speak, and yawn. Each joint has a ball and joint with a disk in between that cushions the load of the joint. Any issues with the TMJ and the associated muscles are known as TMJ disorders. If you have any of the following symptoms, Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Tant may treat TMJ in Jacksonville, North Carolina:
• Pain in the face, jaw joint, neck and shoulders, and around the ear when you move your jaw
• Issues when you open your mouth wide
• Jaws that lock open or closed
• Clicking sounds in the jaw joint when you use your jaw
• A tired feeling in your face
• A suddenly uncomfortable bite
• Swelling on the side of your face
If you have a TMJ disorder, our dentists may recommend an occlusal guard. This plastic mouth guard is worn over the teeth at night to protect them from the effects of clenching and grinding your teeth. Teeth grinding, a common cause of TMJ disorders, not only affects your teeth but your TMJs as well.
Feel free to contact our dental office today to learn more and to schedule a visit.