The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the hinges that allow your jaw to move and perform tasks such as chewing and speaking. 
When these activities involve pain, that pain may have an extremely negative impact on your day-to-day life. Left untreated, TMJ pain will continue and can potentially lead to tooth damage and malocclusion. At Downey Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Downey, CA, Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh want to eliminate the TMJ issue causing your discomfort.
What causes TMJ pain?
TMJ pain can have several origins. Some of the more common are:
- Jaw misalignment
- Grinding or clenching of the teeth (Bruxism)
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Stress
- Injury
- Malocclusion
What does TMJ pain feel like?
The pain caused by a TMJ disorder can be dull and constant or sharp and intense. It occurs when using the jaw joints for activities such as chewing, yawning, or speaking. Since the TMJs are associated with facial muscles, it is not uncommon for muscle spasms to occur and exacerbate the pain. The temples, cheeks, teeth, and ears are all very common locations patients experience TMJ pain.
What are the symptoms?
While pain is the most common symptom, there are others to look for when determining whether TMJ disorder is affecting you. Jaw muscle stiffness, locked jaws, clicking or popping of the jaw joints, difficulty chewing, nighttime teeth grinding, unexplained tooth wear, and a change in your bite (occlusion) are potential signs of TMJ disorder. When you visit office for a TMJ consultation, we will go through your symptoms and conduct a thorough examination to determine exactly where the problem lies, then we can treat it accordingly.
Can TMJ pain be treated?
There are several treatment options for sufferers of TMJ pain. For some, the solution is as simple as eating softer foods, regularly applying hot or cold packs to the jaw, or taking basic pain medications. Avoiding physical stressors, like nail biting and gum chewing, may also help alleviate pain. One of the most effective and least effective treatment options is a customized mouth guard to be worn at night. The mouth guard will keep your upper teeth and lower teeth from grinding together, while also holding the jaw joints in proper position to relieve stress and fatigue.
Schedule an Appointment Today!
You don’t have to live with constant jaw pain. Call Downey Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today at 562-472-2433 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, or Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh.
