Why Is It Important to Treat TMJ Disorder?

If you experience a popping sound while opening or closing your mouth or feel discomfort while chewing or yawning, it can all be the signs of TMD. TMD can affect people’s health in more than one way. However, it is not something that can’t be treated. If you are suffering from TMD, you must visit a dentist near you for consultation and treatment. Leaving TMD untreated, can lead to chronic jaw pain, frequent episodes of headache, and other adverse conditions.

TMJ Causes and Effects

The effects of TMJ and their duration depend on the source of the condition. Most of the TMD symptoms manifest because of physical stress on the temporomandibular joints and other tissues of the jaw and skull. Some factors that may contribute to the stress are:

• A bite condition or an improper bite
• A misaligned jaw
• Teeth grinding
• Osteoarthritis or other degenerative conditions
• Trauma or injury to the jaw

The symptoms vary from person to person. It is to be noted that not everyone who experiences these conditions develop TMD. Also, in some of the cases, the symptoms associated with TMD such as jaw discomfort, migraine, and difficulty in biting and chewing are temporary while in other instances, they grow progressively.

Why Is It Important to Treat TMD?

TMD is not a life-threatening condition but it is important to treat it as its symptoms can affect your quality of life over time. One of the most common indications of TMD is the clicking of the jaw. Other discomforts linked with TMD are intense headaches, neck, shoulder and back pain, and tinnitus. Depression is also linked with TMD.

When Should You See a Neuromuscular Dentist for TMD?

You must seek consultation from dentists who are trained in neuromuscular dentistry as they have undergone extensive studies related to joints, nerves, muscles, and other components that assist in jaw function. You must visit the dentist for a medical assessment of TMD when the symptoms refuse to subside. The dentist may perform x-ray and other examinations for finding the source of discomfort and deciding the treatment.

Benefits of Treating TMD

• Getting Rid of the Chronic Discomfort

TMD is not only about jaw pain but it can lead to headaches, neck pain, shoulder stiffness, and upper back pain. When you get TMD treated, you can feel that your entire body functions better.

• Prevent Further Dental Damage

TMD is often related to bruxism. It is one of the most common causes of TMD and it is, in fact, a vicious circle. TMD can also cause bruxism. Chronic grinding can lead to erosion and cracked teeth. When you treat one or both of them, it protects your smile along with dental function.

• Enjoy Your Favorite Meals

When the TMJ disorder if left untreated, it can lead to difficulty in eating. You may have to choose a limited number of foods. The decrease in your diet can result in malnutrition. TMD can alleviate your discomfort and allow you to eat everything that you want.

• Good Ear Health

In case of severe TMD, you can experience tinnitus or ringing sound in the ears. Sometimes, this ringing can make it difficult to sleep or hear. It has been observed that treating TMD helps in alleviating tinnitus.

• For Promoting Overall Health

TMD is related to various systemic health conditions such as chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, sleep disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Though there is not a definite link between TMD and these issues, getting treatment for TMD can help in promoting overall health.

• Improve Quality of Life

Chronic pain and fatigue can affect your emotional well-being. With TMD treatment you can experience pain relief, increase in self- confidence, and a brighter perspective on life.

If you have any additional queries about the TMD and benefits of the treatment, you can visit a dentist and get the queries solved. As mentioned above, TMD is not a fatal condition but not treating it can lead to challenges in your routine life. The symptoms of TMD make it difficult for you to lead a normal routine. Thus, you must identify the signs of TMD and get it treated before the symptoms escalate further and make you miserable.