Simon Sez touch your nose. Simon Sez touch your ears. Simon Sez touch your temporomandibular joints. Aha! If you’re like most people, chances are you don’t know where those joints are or what they do. Your temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your face just in front of your ears, and they allow you to open and close your mouth. However, if they don’t function properly, then you may experience persistent headaches or several other painful symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Fortunately, Dr. L. Blaine Kennington at Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, offers TMJ therapy to help eliminate the pain.
Sometimes the cause of TMJ dysfunction is unknown. In other cases, patients can point to a particular injury, such as a hard blow to the face, as the beginning of their TMJ problems. Most of the time, however, TMJ dysfunction is the result of a bite problem that directly affects the joint. Misaligned teeth, bruxism—teeth grinding and clenching—and other activities are some of the culprits.
The Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction
The symptom of TMJ dysfunction that Dr. Kennington hears patients describe most often is pain in the jaw joint when they chew. This pain may extend to the head, ears, neck and shoulders, too. Other symptoms include:
- Swelling on the side of the face
- A clicking or popping noise when the jaw is opened or closed
- The feeling of an earache, but no sign of infection
- Sensitive teeth
- A misaligned bite
- The feeling that the jaw is locked when opened to eat, talk or yawn
Treating TMJ Dysfunction
Because teeth grinding and clenching can be a contributing factor of TMJ dysfunction, Dr. Kennington can prescribe a custom-designed nightguard to help alleviate pressure and prevent damage from the movement of teeth against each other. By stopping nighttime teeth grinding and clenching, routinely wearing a nightguard can reduce or even eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ dysfunction.
Schedule an Appointment Today
If you are experiencing any of the painful symptoms listed above, then call the office of Cowlitz River Dental in Castle Rock, WA, for TMJ therapy. Our office is conveniently located for patients in Kelso, Longview and Lewis County and the surrounding area.