Minnesota residents who suspect that they may have TMJ should seek the attention of a dental professional. This conditions causes issues with not only the jaw but also the joint connecting the jaw and all surrounding facial muscles. Patients with this condition could face difficulty chewing. Beef products typically cause the most complications when this condition is present. If you believe you may have TMJ, you should contact a Family Dentist Chaska to schedule an appointment for a screening.
What is TMJ?
TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder affects the mandible primarily. This condition causes the jaw to temporarily lock up and cause pain when chewing tough meats and other food products. The individual may face difficulty when speaking and yawning do to this constriction of the jaw. If you have experienced a locking of your jaw or pain when chewing, you should contact a Family Dentist Chaska immediately.
Common Causes of TMJ
The muscular make-up of the jaw could become the initial source of the disorder. An accident in which the jaw was injured could lead to TMJ also. Grinding or clenching the jaws when sleeping could lead to the development of this condition. Other causes are dislocation of the disc connecting to the ball and socket, osteoarthritis, and stress can result in temporomandibular joint disorder.
Symptoms of TMJ
Common symptoms of TMJ are pain in the face or jaw, limitations when opening the mouth, lock jaw, and difficulty chewing suddenly. You may also experience swelling in the face, neck or shoulder pain, and tiredness when attempting to chew. If any of these symptoms exist, you should contact a Family Dentist Chaska immediately.
Diagnosing TMJ
A Family Dentist Chaska examines the joints to determine the origin of the jaw pain. They will determine whether there is a pop or clicking noise present when the patient attempts to open their mouth as this is an indicator of the disorder. The dentist will perform x-rays to examine the condition of the jaw to establish which sections of the jaw are affected and if tooth damage has occurred. If you have any of the above mentioned symptoms or wish to receive a screening for this condition, you should call your preferred dentist now.
