Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Treatment
Treatment for Chronic Head, Facial and Neck Pain
Millions of people suffer from chronic facial and neck pain as well as recurring headaches. In some cases, this pain is due to Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD. You use your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which connect your lower jawbone to your skull, a lot during the day to speak, chew, swallow and yawn.
At Alta View Dental Care in Sandy, UT, Dr. Richard Hughes uses advanced dental knowledge to relieve your chronic pain that could be caused by TMD.
Symptoms of TMD
- Pain in the jaw area
- Pain, ringing, or stuffiness in the ears
- Frequent headaches or neck aches
- Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
- Swelling on the sides of the face
- Muscle spasms in the jaw area
- A change in the alignment of top and bottom teeth
- Locked jaw or limited opening of the mouth
If you have any of these symptoms, let Dr. Hughes know. Once you visit our Sandy dental office for an appointment, Dr. Hughes can see if you have TMD, and create an effective treatment plan just for you.
To help prevent TMD from becoming more severe, or to prevent it from occurring:
- Relax your face — remember the rule: "Lips together, teeth apart"
- Avoid grinding your teeth
- Avoid constant gum chewing
- Don’t cradle the phone receiver between your head and shoulder — either use a headset or hold the receiver to your ear
- Chew food evenly on both sides of your mouth
- Do not sit with your chin rested on your hand
- Practice good posture — keep your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared