TMJ Relief for Centerville patients

TMJ is a medical phrase for the condition that causes pain, popping, and locking of the jaw, headaches, and other discomforts. It may be most frequently discussed as an area of concern when young children begin to grind their teeth together or when adolescents begin to experience jaw pain. However, TMJ can just as easily affect adults as well.

Understanding TMJ starts by understanding how the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower part of your jaw to your skull. If you were to press your fingers below your ear on the side of your face, you would likely feel a small indentation. Holding your hand still while you open and close your mouth, you will feel the jaw shift within the joint underneath your fingers. If you feel no pain while performing this motion, then you likely have a joint that is appropriately aligned and functioning effectively.

However, many patients feel or hear a popping sound or a clicking noise, which may or may not be accompanied by pain. When that’s the case, the patient likely has a TMJ disorder, caused by misalignment of the joint. Sometimes the pain will come and go; however, if it lasts more than a few days, if the pain becomes severe, or if you start to feel pressure within the head, face, or neck, it’s time to seek professional help.

Dr. Cobb has the knowledge and experience to diagnose TMJ accurately. Therefore, he has been instrumental in helping Centerville area dental patients correct the issue and find comfort. Once the suspected TMJ disorder is diagnosed, Dr. Cobb may suggest sleeping with a dental appliance to help realign the jaw and relieve the pain. The appliance is similar to a sports mouth guard in that it will fit over the teeth and will help you stop habits that can worsen your TMJ disorder, like grinding or clenching of the teeth.

Dr. Cobb is committed to helping his patients have a healthy mouth and live without tooth or any oral pain. Oral appliances have been found to be the quickest and most effective way to correct issues caused by TMJ disorder. If you have pain in your jaw, unexplained headaches, or hear a popping sound when you open your mouth, you could have a problem with TMJ. Call Dr. Cobb’s Alex Bell Dental office today to schedule a consultation and examination. Dr. Cobb will help you find the right path to treatment and relief from jaw pain.