What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

More than 15 percent of adults suffer from facial and jaw pain that is often the result of a medical condition called TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).

Symptoms of TMD include:

• Chronic headaches
• Ongoing pain, soreness and stiffness in the jaws, face, ears, head, neck, shoulder, and back
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Chewing problems
• Frequent ear infections
• Ringing in the ears
• Dizziness
• Sinus problems
• “Clicks” and “pops” in the jaw
• Limited jaw movement
• Chipped, broken or worn teeth

More about the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The two temporomandibular joints are highly complex joints, used constantly every day. The temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull. They aid in actions such as speaking, chewing and swallowing. When your TMJ is misaligned, it can potentially keep this complicated system from working correctly, leading to pain and the other symptoms mentioned above.

What Causes TMD?

TMD can be caused by the following factors:

• Arthritis
• Neck or head injury
• Jaw dislocation
• Unmanaged stress

However, very often, TMD is caused by a “bad” bite, where a patient’s teeth do not fit together correctly.

Treatments for TMD

Treatments vary by the specific needs of each patient. Some of the most common treatment options include:

• Exercises to reduce stress
• Prescription medication or other types of muscle relaxants
• Custom-fitted mouth guards (to prevent teeth grinding and wear)
• Braces or other orthodontic care
• Dental restorations

If you think you may suffer from TMD, it is important to see a neuromuscular dentist immediately so that a diagnosis can be made and your dentist can create a treatment and pain management plan for you.

Please contact the Ontario neuromuscular dentists at Willow Dental Associates today to schedule a consultation. We serve patients in Mississauga, Ontario.