29 May TMJ Disorder: Signs, Symptoms, and When to See a Specialist in Chicago
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, isn’t just about jaw pain and dysfunction. It is a complex condition and has a broader impact. While TMJ pains are debilitating and often the first sign of a problem, they can be followed by various other symptoms. TMJ is an umbrella term and refers to a combination of jaw-related issues. Here’s more about this life-altering disorder, how to prevent discomfort, and when to see a TMJ specialist in Chicago, IL.
Understanding TMJ
TMJ disorder is often misdiagnosed as a migraine, ear infection, or vertigo. In a busy city like Chicago, where people’s stress levels usually run high, you could be grinding your teeth unknowingly, TMJ issues become prevalent. Pain is an important symptom of TMJ, followed by restricted jaw movement and clicking and popping sounds. It results from an inflammation in the hinge-like temporomandibular joint that connects your lower jaw, i.e., the mandible, to your skull. This joint is responsible for helping you chew, talk, yawn, and perform other daily activities that require opening or closing your mouth. Any problems with its functioning can partially or completely restrict the movement of your jaw.
Causes of TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is on both sides of your head, right in front of the ears, allowing various jaw movements. It consists of a complex network of nerves, muscles, and ligaments. Any amount of discomfort to the joint can have long-term complications. What can lead to TMJ pain and other problems? Causes of TMJ include:
- Chronic stress
- Jaw injury
- Teeth grinding or bruxism
- Misaligned teeth
- Arthritis
- Habits like chewing gum, nail-biting, and more.
It is not easy to diagnose TMJ disorder, as a mix of factors can cause it. It’s important to consult an experienced TMJ specialist in Chicago, IL, to identify the root cause and resolve the pain and other symptoms. TMJ is a serious condition, especially if it remains untreated or misdiagnosed.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
TMJ issues can be both short-term and long-term. You can experience a range of symptoms, which may resemble other issues. A TMJ specialist in Chicago can help you determine the root cause of your problem and minimize its impact on your quality of life. If you experience the following symptoms, you know that it is TMJ:
- Clicking and popping sound when you close and open your mouth
- Unexplained pain and tenderness in your jaw, neck, and head
- Limited movement in your jaw
- Deteriorating tooth enamel and misalignment of your bite
- Migraines, earaches, ringing in the ears, feeling of fullness in the ears, and dizziness
- Tingling sensation in your fingers as it radiates from jaw and neck tension
- Facial tightness or fatigue, and more.
What to Do About It?
As someone living in the Chicago area, you might be familiar with Chicago’s harsh winters, longer commute times, and packed working schedules. You could also be facing problems at work or in your personal life. These stressors often lead to nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, which is a major yet silent contributor to TMJ flare-ups. So, the first and foremost tip to address your TMJ discomfort is to reduce your stress levels and prevent bruxism. Try stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, long walks, etc.
Simple home remedies like cold or heat packs can help manage your pain and other symptoms. You can also try over-the-counter muscle relaxants or anti-inflammatory medications to relieve your overactive jaw joint and muscles. You might also want to adjust your diet and include more soft foods to ease the pressure on your TMJ.
If these at-home remedies don’t work, you can get an over-the-counter mouth guard to protect your dental health and prevent nighttime teeth grinding. These tips might help with mild to moderate cases, but if you find no relief in the long run, you might want professional help.
When to Seek Help
If you are persistently experiencing jaw pain, tightness, restricted movement, and headaches, it may be time to go beyond home remedies. When your discomfort doesn’t respond to typical treatment methods, a TMJ specialist in Chicago, such as Dr. Margaret Mitchell at Michelle TMJ Institute, can offer a customized treatment plan. Dr. Mitchell has helped several patients in Chicago, and she can assist you, too.
Whether through exercise, prescription medications, custom mouth guards, or stress management therapies, Dr. Margaret Mitchell will suggest a combination of treatments to address the root cause effectively. You might also want to explore Botox for TMJ, a new-age TMJ treatment to help relax the overactive jaw muscles and improve jaw functioning.
When ready, call (312) 642-1014 to schedule your appointment. Dr. Mitchell can answer your questions and recommend the most suitable option for your needs. Remember, early diagnosis and timely treatment can significantly improve your quality of life. So, do not wait until something worsens. Get an expert opinion now and make informed decisions about your dental health.
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