Consider TMJ Disorder Treatment for a Healthy, Pain-free Smile

Nothing beats the refreshed feeling after waking up following a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, mornings aren’t your favorite part of the day if you suffer from TMJ pain. Often, you wake up with headaches, tooth pain, and jaw soreness. But guess what? A dentist in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania, can make your pain a thing of the past. To overcome TMJ disorder, Dr. Beth Skovron uses custom mouthguards and other natural treatments.

What is TMJ disorder?

You may not have thought about it, but you have two joints on either side of the face that help you open and close your mouth when talking, yawning, or chewing. Unfortunately, these hinge-like joints — temporomandibular joints (TMJs) — can be infected or injured, affecting how they work.

When your TMJ is compromised, you may experience numerous unpleasant symptoms, including:

• Headaches and migraines
• Ringing in the ears
• Jaw pain
• Clicking sounds when opening and closing your jaws
• Facial pain
• Neck pain
• Difficulty opening your mouth

Diagnosing TMJ disorder (TMD) can be challenging, but working with a TMJ dentist like Dr. Skovron can help identify the cause and treatment of your pain.

Treating TMJ disorder

Surgery and lifelong medication aren’t the only options for TMD patients. If tooth grinding (bruxism) is the cause of your TMD, Dr. Skovron recommends a custom mouthguard. Our dental mouthguards are comfortable enough to sleep in and make a difference in your health.

TMJ mouthguards act as a protective barrier between the upper and lower teeth. This reduces the effect of tooth grinding, which relieves pressure on the jaw muscles and joints. A mouthpiece lessens dental damage and keeps the jaw tension-free, allowing it to open and close without pain.

Dr. Skovron can complement mouthguard therapy with other treatment options. Depending on the cause of your TMD, she may recommend the following:

• Jaw exercises
• Lifestyle changes, including reduced chewing and eating soft foods
• Orthodontics to straighten your teeth
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Stress management techniques

Are you battling TMJ disorder in Montgomeryville, PA? We can help you live a pain-free life. Please dial (215) 792-2227 for consultation with the team at Heritage Dental.