TMJ Disorder Treatment in Farmington, NM
Do you wake up in the morning with a headache or pain in your neck and face? If so, you may be suffering from issues with your jaw and its associated muscles.
Your jaw is supported by a ball and socket joint that is how you open and close your mouth. Its technical name is your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. From misalignment to chronic overuse due to teeth grinding, several issues can stress your TMJs resulting in inflammation and fatigue. When this happens, your dentist may diagnose you with a TMJ Disorder or TMJD.
If you suffer from TMJ problems in Farmington, NM, or the surrounding areas of Flora Vista, Spencerville, Upper Fruitland, and Kirtland, the good news is that you don’t have to live with the pain and discomfort. Contact Dr. Jared Lusk at Lusk Family Dentistry today to address your condition and finally find some relief.
How Do I Know If I Have a TMJD?
TMJDs are surprisingly common. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, one in ten people suffers vague and painful symptoms associated with TMJDs. The condition affects the jaw, one or both TMjs, and the facial muscles that control the jaw, yet the symptoms can radiate to surrounding areas. People who suffer from this disorder might experience pain in the head, neck, and shoulders; they can suffer from dizziness, chronic earaches, and ringing in their ears, sometimes referred to as "tinnitus."
If you experience the following symptoms, you may have a TMJD:
- Clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth
- Inability to open or close the mouth
- Chronic headaches
- Persistent neck and upper shoulder pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Pain in the jaw or ear area when speaking, chewing, or yawning
Causes for Your TMJD
If your jaw is misaligned, or you have a bad bite—a bite where the teeth do not meet evenly—this can result in a TMJD. Injuries to the cartilage around your jaw joints are also associated with TMJDs. Another cause is grinding your teeth while you are awake, and especially when you sleep. Arthritis can be a contributing factor to TMJDs in Farmington, NM, as well.
Stop TMJ in Farmington, NM with an Occlusal Adjustment
TMJDs are usually complex conditions with numerous contributing factors, so that each person will require a personalized solution. Dr. Lusk’s expertise and extreme attention to detail make him an ideal TMJ dentist. He can diagnose your TMJD’s cause and treat your jaw pain safely and efficiently. For example, you may need to wear a bite guard to protect your teeth and jaw from the unnatural forces of teeth grinding, or you could benefit from an occlusal adjustment.
With an occlusal adjustment, your dentist in Farmington, NM, adjusts your mouth by very slightly reshaping the biting and incisal surfaces of your teeth, so they no longer put undue stress on each other when biting, chewing, or grinding. This small adjustment can make a big difference and end your jaw pain for good.
Dr. Lusk has a passion for helping people manage pain and have healthy smiles for life. If you are experiencing jaw pain, please call Lusk Family Dentistry today to schedule your consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
Teeth are made for chewing, and the outermost layer of teeth—the enamel—is the strongest substance in the body. Certain things can lead to wearing down of the teeth. If you are grinding and clenching your teeth, this can cause damage to the enamel and it can fracture fillings.
lower jaw to our skull. When the joint becomes inflamed, people can have chronic jaw pain as well as limited mobility and fatigue.
This could be a sign of nighttime grinding or TMJ, which causes you to clench your teeth. This can lead to further problems with your teeth and your overall oral health. Sometimes 
