Dr. White Will Relieve Your Pain
Dentists are concerned with more than just the health and wellness of your teeth and gums — they also pay close attention to your jaw. The health, strength, and integrity of your jaw can impact your oral wellness and overall health. That’s why when you visit our Cedar City office, our sleep dentist Dr. White will examine your jaw during your routine exam.
If you’ve noticed any changes in your jaw area, we’ll be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Frequent headaches, jaw pain, or popping noises when you open and close your mouth could be a sign of TMJ Disorder (TMD). We take great pride in offering patients in the communities of Enoch, Hamiltons Fort, Kanarraville, Summit, and nearby Utah areas effective jaw pain relief.
What Is TMD?
You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) below the ears where your jawbone connects to the skull. These joints help your jaw to perform a wide range of motion when you’re engaged in activities like talking, yawning, or eating. When your TMJs don’t work properly, it can cause you to develop a painful condition known as TMJ Disorder (TMD). TMD can result in pain in your head, neck, ears, back, and jaw. It can even make it difficult to chew your favorite foods. TMD can be caused by stress, physical injury, teeth grinding, arthritis, or if the TMJ moves out of its proper alignment.
Dr. Sage White will diagnose your pain and design a plan to treat your TMD so you can live and eat without pain.
Symptoms of TMD
TMD can begin as minor discomfort and cause permanent damage to your teeth and jaw if untreated. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of TMD before you put yourself more at risk. You may have TMD if you suffer from the following symptoms:
- Soreness in your facial joints
- Neck, back, or shoulder pain
- Swelling in your face or jaw
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Earaches
- Headaches
- Popping noises when moving your jaw
- Swollen lymph nodes
During your consultation, it’s important to discuss any symptoms you’ve been experiencing with Dr. White. At Southern Utah Sleep & TMJ Center, we take the time to understand your case to develop a personalized solution that’s right for you.
Effective Solutions for TMD
Whether you are coming in for a routine exam or because you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, we’ll take dental X-rays so we can get a clear picture of your jaw health. With proper treatment, TMD is sometimes reversible, which is why we tailor the most effective treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Everyone experiences the condition differently, so we have a number of treatment strategies to choose from.
Bite Adjustment
A poorly-aligned bite is a common cause of TMD. In these cases, we can adjust your bite using occlusal pads on the lower molars and braces on the top. This will correct the issue by repositioning the jaw forward.
Botox Injections
Botox is a popular treatment that’s known for enhancing your appearance by removing wrinkles and fine lines. However, did you know it also has valuable clinical applications for treating TMD by relaxing tense muscles? Not only will you experience relief from your TMD, but also look younger in the process.
Medication
Dr. White may recommend treating your TMD pain and inflammation with medication. This frequently includes muscle relaxers and NSAIDs, which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, Motrin, and Advil.
TMJ Splints
We can provide you with a customized TMJ splint, which is also known as an oral appliance. This device creates a barrier to prevent your teeth from grinding together. That way, you won’t have to worry about other issues like worn out or damaged teeth.
Orthodontics
TMJ pain is often caused when people have crooked teeth, an overbite, or an underbite. Providing braces will fix your smile and gradually shift your jaw into the correct alignment, eliminating your pain and improving the strength of your jaw.
Surgery
Dr. White will find the least invasive treatment to relieve your TMD. But in some cases, he may recommend surgery to repair damage to the TMJ and completely remedy your TMD symptoms. We feature a number of effective surgical TMD treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes jaw pain when chewing?
There are several medical issues that can cause jaw pain, including teeth grinding, a misaligned jaw, or damage to your TMJ joint. It’s important to schedule a consultation with Dr. White to determine what may cause your TMD. That way, our team can develop a treatment plan that targets the cause of your symptoms.
Is ear pain when chewing or yawning normal?
You shouldn’t feel pain in your ear when chewing or yawning, and this could be a sign that you have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Since your TMJs are located close to your ears, chances are that any discomfort may indicate that you need immediate treatment. Otherwise, you risk damaging your ears and any surrounding areas involving your face and oral cavity.
Should my jaw pop when I chew?
This is a common side effect of TMD. If your jaw is popping, contact us to have your TMJ evaluated. Dr. White will examine to see if there is any damage as well as evaluate the extent of your symptoms.
What is the best pain medication for TMD?
To relieve pain and inflammation in your TMJ, we recommend taking NSAID pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. We can also prescribe muscle relaxers to treat your symptoms. Your dentist will be able to give you more information as to what medications may be best for you.
Get Your Free TMJ Evaluation
If you start feeling earaches, headaches, soreness in your jaw, or popping noises when you open and close your mouth, contact our office in Cedar City at (435) 267-0486 to receive your free evaluation today. We take great care in providing jaw pain relief to people in the Utah cities of Enoch, Hamiltons Fort, Kanarraville, Summit, and surrounding areas. You can also fill out the easy-to-use contact form below, and we’ll get back to you right away. Dr. White and his skilled team will make sure you get the appropriate care.