At Premier Dental & Oral Health Group in Lake Ozark we treat several causes of pain in the oral area. In this blog post we will discuss jaw pain.
The jaw is a sliding hinge joint, and its full name is the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. TMJ disorder (TMJ/TMD) is more common than you might guess. Millions of people cope with the pain of an aching jaw.
Causes and Symptoms
Identifying the cause of TMJ disorder can be tricky. Jaw pain may be due to genetics, arthritis, or trauma. It may be a combination of these. It could also be the result of clenching or grinding the teeth.
Common symptoms include:
- Pain when chewing
- Inability to fully open the mouth
- Headaches and/or neckaches
- A clicking or popping sound in the jaw
In many cases, the pain from TMJ disorders vanishes as mysteriously as it appeared. When it doesn’t go away on its own, treatment begins with conservative measures like over-the-counter pain relievers. Relaxation techniques have also helped many patients.
No one knows why, but women are far more likely to have TMJ disorder than men. It could be something as simple as differences in the bone and muscle structure between genders.
At Premier Dental & Oral Health Group in Lake Ozark we offer TMJ/TMD treatment. Patients from all over Lake of the Ozarks and Osage Beach have come to us for treatment. We also provide complete general dentistry. Schedule an appointment with us today!
Contact Premier Dental & Oral Health Group:
573-365-0220
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
24 North Shore Dr.
Lake Ozark, Missouri
65049
