Identifying TMJ Symptoms can help Greenville area residents find relief

Chances are that at some point in your life you had a strange pain or ache that had no obvious cause. Many people every day suffer from ear or throat pain that they attribute to a common cold. Other people have chronic headaches that they believe are caused by stress. While these symptoms can be caused by a variety of conditions, they are also some of the common symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder. By helping our guests identify signs of TMJ dysfunction early, we can help alleviate the pain associated with the disease.

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to the skull and makes tasks like talking, eating, and yawning possible. People who have pain in the temporomandibular joint have a hard time performing these daily tasks, and find that simple tasks such as eating lunch or talking to someone become very painful.

Common symptoms of TMJ include:

• Difficulty or pain when chewing
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Pain in or around the ears
• Aching pain in the face
• Pain or tenderness around the jaw
• Ear ringing
• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Vertigo
• Popping around the jaw joint
• Pressure behind the eyes

TMJ does not always have a distinct cause; still, treatment can be very effective in eliminating pain. Without treatment, TMJ symptoms can continue to worsen and sometimes lead to the need for emergency dental care.

Treating TMJ

At Palmer Distinctive Dentistry, we provide integrated dental therapy for TMJ disorder that focuses on the underlying problem. By identifying and correcting the problem, we can help restore functionality and eliminate pain. Typically, treatment is multi-faceted. We may recommend standard appliance therapy to relieve the pressure on the joints. Additionally, we may recommend orthodontic treatment to realign the bite. Physical therapy and ultrasound therapy may also be appropriate in some situations.

If you feel like you may be experiencing some symptoms of TMJ disorder, we recommend calling our Greenville office to schedule a TMJ evaluation. By identifying and treating TMJ dysfunction early, we can help guests regain a healthy and normal life. Call us today at !

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