At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, our areas of expertise go beyond the teeth and gums. In this blog post, we are going to discuss jaw pain, and TMJ/TMD treatment.
The human jaw is a complex joint, and sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint the cause of pain that is centered there. The upper jaw, of course, is firmly attached to the skull. But the lower jaw is connected by movable hinge joints. They are really quite spectacular, because these joints allow so much movement, like what makes chewing possible.
Here are some of the possible causes of jaw pain:
Infection
A localized infection can trigger or exacerbate jaw pain. An infection puts your tooth and jaw bone at risk, so swift intervention is essential for many reasons. If your jaw starts swelling, call us immediately. This could indicate a dangerous, fast-moving infection.
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder (TMD)
The jaw joint is called thre temporomandibular joint. That word is a real mouthful (excuse the pun!) and it’s usually shortened to TMJ.
Chronic TMJ pain is called TMJ disorder, or TMD. Teeth clenching or grinding can cause TMD. It can also be caused by injury or arthritis.
Some people with TMD notice flare-ups when they are under a lot of stress. If stress is the only cause, stress-reducing behaviors can help you prevent it or reduce the severity. But the first step is diagnosing the cause.
At Boulder County Smiles in Lafayette CO, we can treat TMJ disorder. The first step is an accurate diagnosis. We also offer a wide range of general and family dentistry procedures. Call us to schedule an appointment today!
Contact Boulder County Smiles:
303-665-5335
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1140 W South Boulder Rd Ste 201
Lafayette, Colorado
80026
