What is TMJ Treatment?

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What is TMJ Treatment?
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• The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in your jaw
  connect your lower jaw and skull together.
  Located close to the front of each ear, your TMJ
  joints allow you to chew and swallow your food as
  well as open your mouth to speak, yawn, sneeze,
  and other everyday functions. If you are
  experiencing chronic pain in this area, you may
  have developed TMJ disorder. Typical causes of
  this painful dental problem include

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• Arthritis in your jaw joints
• You injured your jaw or the bones supporting it
  due to an accident
• You deal with unrelenting stress and frequently
  clench your jaw because of it
• The disc that normally holds the joints and
  sockets together has slipped out of place

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• Regardless of how you developed TMJ disorder,
  its important to seek treatment from All Star
  Dental as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and
  treatment makes it possible to reverse the
  condition so you can live without pain.

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How To Determine If You Have TMJ Disorder

• Some patients suffer longer than necessary
  because they dont realize that there is a
  medical reason for their jaw pain. Even if you
  dont have TMJ disorder, its important to come
  in right away if you notice any of these
  symptoms
• Unusual facial swelling
• Speaking and chewing leaves you feeling fatigued

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• You hear popping or clicking sounds when opening
  your mouth
• Pain in the jaw joints, neck, face, or shoulders
  and pain near your ears when opening your mouth

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TMJ Treatment Options

• After receiving a diagnosis of TMJ, youre
  likely to ask What is TMJ Treatment? Dr.
  Moshena Ahmad uses several different approaches
  to help eliminate your pain and return your jaws
  to normal functioning. Unless you have a severe
  case of TMJ disorder, she begins with the most
  conservative approach possible. The first step in
  treating TMJ disorder is to wear a night guard
  every night or a splint for several hours each
  day.

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• Both of these dental devices prevent teeth
  grinding because they dont allow the upper and
  lower rows of teeth to touch one another.
• Certain home remedies may also be appropriate.
  Dr. Ahmad may advise you to apply an ice pack at
  regular intervals and use a non-prescription form
  of pain relief when you experience a painful
  flare-up. You should also avoid chewing hard
  foods as this may aggravate your jaw pain.

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• If these solutions fail to work, Dr. Ahmad
  will speak to you about more aggressive treatment
  options.