TMD and Complicating Conditions

Everybody’s been under a lot of stress lately, and at greater risk of developing a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). But some people, such as those with autoimmune disorders, were already at higher risk, and may especially be familiar with jaw pain. We at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs don’t want any of our patients to suffer or to underestimate the damage jaw clenching can do to their teeth, so we wanted to discuss how it works and what we can do.

 

Our lower jaws are connected to the skull by the temporomandibular joints. These joints are complex, needing to be able to exert a great deal of force and move in all directions. In people with autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, the lining of the joints may be swollen. This would create difficulty opening the mouth and may cause a person to clench their jaws or grind their teeth in their sleep, which is a habit called bruxism. However, other people may also develop TMD if they are under psychological strain or they have obstructive sleep apnea, in which case they would move their jaw forward in an attempt to widen their airway.

 

TMD may cause pain to radiate to the ear or down to the shoulder, and teeth can crack under extreme pressure. If the cartilage of the joints is worn away, it will be much more difficult and uncomfortable for them to function. But we can provide patients with custom-fitted night guards, which are a removable oral appliance similar to a retainer that is worn during sleep. Night guards keep the jaws separate, shield the teeth, and can help to keep the jaw in a position that will leave the airway unrestricted and the joints under less stress.

 

Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Dental.

What is TMD?

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  At Southern Cross Dental, we help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain, or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locks’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer with discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services provided at the practice, visit www.scdsmile.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

TMJ/TMD Diet

 

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a pain or malfunction at the point where the jawbone is attached. TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Southern Cross Dental, our doctors can not only treat TMJ disorder, but they can suggest diet changes that can alleviate symptoms. 

We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some good foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal. 

If you experience jaw soreness or hear a clicking sound when you chew, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder is a pain or malfunction at the point where the jawbone is attached. TMJ can have many symptoms, from clicking, to locking of the jaw, to a headache, earache, or even a feeling of tiredness in the face. Because TMJ affects the chewing muscles, the condition may worsen when eating certain foods. Here at Southern Cross Dental, our doctors can not only treat TMJ disorder, but they can suggest diet changes that can alleviate symptoms.

We know that giving up certain foods is easier said than done, but you may need to try eliminating certain culprits from your diet if this decreases your problems with TMJ. To lessen pain and other symptoms associated with this condition, avoid eating hard foods, crunchy foods, and thick or large foods that involve opening your mouth wide when you chew them. You may also want to eliminate fatty foods that require a lot of chewing. Some good foods to eat include cooked vegetables and fruits, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs. By incorporating soft foods into your diet you are giving your jaw and temporomandibular joints the opportunity to rest and heal.

If you experience jaw soreness or hear a clicking sound when you chew, please give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at our practice, visit www.southerncrossfamilydentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, CO, call 719-471-1717.