If you consistently wake up with jaw pain, you’ll want to ask one of our emergency dentists to examine your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The TMJ is a hinge connecting your lower jaw to your skull. However, this hinge can weaken when you clench or grind your teeth at night. Our dentists will be able to determine if a TMJ disorder is causing jaw pain. Continue reading below to learn more!
Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Jaw pain
- Jaw locking while mouth is open or closed
- TMJ pain
- Facial pain
- Ache in or around ears
- Difficulty while chewing
- Pain while chewing
If you recognize any of the above TMJ symptoms, schedule an appointment with one of our dentists as soon as possible. During your appointment, we’ll ask you about your symptoms and physically examine your jaw. For example, we’ll ask you to open and close your jaw so we can listen for clicking sounds.
TMJ treatment (like a night guard) can noticeably alleviate jaw and tooth pain so you can get a better night’s sleep. If a custom night guard doesn’t work, we may recommend pain relievers, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, or even dental surgery. However, TMJ surgery is recommended only as a last resort.
To schedule your appointment with one of our Westland TMJ dentists, call Parkside Dental Team at (734) 261-6060.