If you experience chronic jaw pain, facial pain, or headaches your first thought probably isn’t to make an appointment with a dentist. Instead, most people will turn to over-the-counter medications or maybe they visit their family physician to try and relieve symptoms. Medications can be helpful if these symptoms happen individually, but when they all happen at the same time it’s likely caused by Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (TMD).
Rather than treating one symptom at a time, Dr. Rick Borquez at Westlake TMJ & Sleep is able to recognize that symptoms like migraines, ear pain, and jaw pain are a result of mouth problems. Without proper treatment, TMJ can create severe discomfort and in some cases, permanent damage. Check out the interesting facts below to learn more about TMJ/TMD!
Fact #1 – There is not one specific factor that causes TMJ.
There are a number of factors that cause TMJ. For most patients who visit Westlake TMJ & Sleep, their condition is typically caused by several contributing factors. The most common of which include:
- Regularly clenching jaw or grinding teeth (either consciously or while sleeping)
- High levels of stress that cause tension in the face
- Arthritis
- Misaligned discs in the jaw due to an injury (jaw dislocation)
Fact #2 – TMJ pain will not go away on its own.
Rather than seek treatment, a lot of people will try over-the-counter painkillers to mask the pain and hope that it just goes away. In reality, the TMJ/TMD will only get worse if it goes untreated. Treatment for your pain will depend on the location and type of pain. Dr. Borquez will recommend all necessary tests to determine the reason for your pain and create a treatment plan from there.
Fact #3 – Surgery is not the only option.
Because many other joint disorders require surgery of some kind, people falsely believe that that is the case for treating TMJ. In fact, there are a number of treatments that can help relieve symptoms and prevent further damage. Those treatments include the use of a custom mouthguard while sleeping, physical therapy, and jaw strengthening. Dr. Borquez will help you determine which treatment is right for you.
For more information and details about TMJ/TMD, please contact Westlake TMJ & Sleep in Westlake Village, CA. Call (805) 277-0606 to speak with our experienced team about scheduling an appointment. You can also click here to request an appointment online!
