The joint on each side of your face that connects the upper and lower jaws is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It’s basically a sliding hinge that allow you to move your jaw up and down as well as sideways. When things go wrong with your TMJ, you can have a lot of seemingly unrelated problems including headaches, pain in the jaw, and ringing or buzzing ears, among many others. Fortunately, you can get help for TMJ problems from Dr. Dick Davenport of Davenport Medical Group in Laredo, TX.
When A Good Joint Goes Wrong
TMJ problems (collectively known as temporomandibular disorder, or TMD) can be due to a variety of causes:
- Arthritis
- Injury to the joint or to your neck muscles
- Chronic teeth grinding or clenching
- Stress
- Connective tissue disease
When one or both of your TMJs goes wrong, you might hear clicking or popping when you open or close your mouth. Your mouth might get “stuck” when you try to open or close it. You may experience mystery toothaches, headaches (and even migraines), jaw pain, problems while chewing, facial pain or even facial swelling, pain in or around the ear, strange noises, and more.
If your symptoms are due to teeth grinding (which often happens while you sleep), you could also be putting your teeth at risk. Chronic teeth grinding wears away the enamel covering your teeth, potentially leading to cracks, fractured teeth, or infection.
TMD can negatively affect your life in all areas – occupationally, socially, and your family life. Fortunately, you don’t have to live with this problem. Effective help is available through Davenport Medical Group in Laredo, TX.
Count On The Skilled Dentists At Davenport Dental Group
When you schedule a consultation with either of our dental practice locations, you’ll receive a thorough examination to determine whether your symptoms may be due to problems with your TMJs. Your skilled dentist will also perform an examination of your teeth, assessing the condition of your enamel and any other problems.
We can create a custom mouthguard for you that will comfortably reposition your jaw to relieve muscle pain and prevent teeth grinding. And if your tooth enamel needs repair, we’ll schedule an appointment to take care of that.
If a mouthguard sounds like too simple a solution, here’s what Sandra, one of our patients, had to say.
“Here at Davenport and Associates they have always done a great job with me. I’ve had a lot of work done here actually and I’ve never had any pain. I have had problems with grinding my teeth, terrible, terrible headaches in the morning and my jaws would just be tight, of course tossing and turning. I would wake myself up with the grinding that I would do.
“They’ve helped me as far as getting mouthguards and letting me, instructing me on what I should and shouldn’t do. I don’t have any headaches from grinding anymore since I’ve been using the night guard. I wake up pretty refreshed and have a good night sleep. Whether it be a cavity being filled or the crowns being put on, I’ve never had any pain here at this dentist’s office. They care about them to make sure that they can do the best they can in making it pain free and doing the best job on whatever procedure is being done.”
Don’t Live In Pain
Temporomandibular joint disorder can be effectively treated. Don’t live in pain when relief is just a phone call away.
Schedule a consultation with Davenport Dental Group in Laredo, TX. You can reach our Junction Drive office at 956-242-6745. In Winfield, call 956-517-2695. You can also use our online contact form to send us a message or schedule your next checkup.