Many people overlook the importance of their jawbone as it relates to their oral health. The two are very closely related, with problems in one often leading to problems in the other. This is why it is important to watch out for the warning signs of temporomandibular disorders, commonly known as TMD’s. TMD’s come in the form of a wide range of irregularities in the jaw bone, the warning signs of which can include any of the following:
- Pain or tenderness in the area of your face, mandibular joint, neck, or shoulders, particularly when you are exercising your jaw
- Bruxism, or tooth grinding
- A decreased ability to open the mouth wide
- Your jaw occasionally locks into position
- Clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth
- Tired facial muscles
- Dizziness
- Toothaches
- Headaches
- Swelling on either side of your face
- A change in the way your teeth fit together
- 2828Earaches, tinnitus, or similar hearing problems
If you have reason to believe that you might have a TMD, consult our dentist at Sixth Avenue Dentistry.