You may not know the correct term for it, but if you’re experiencing jaw pain when you open and close your mouth, you’re all too familiar with this discomfort. Many people suffer from pain when they talk, eat, yawn, or laugh. 

Often this pain is caused by irritated and inflamed TMJs, or temporomandibular joints. These joints function as a hinge, connecting your jaw to your skull. When your TMJs are working normally, you probably don’t think much about them. However, if you have problems related to your TMJs, every time you open your mouth you could experience excruciating pain. This pain may even radiate throughout your face and into your neck and shoulders.

November is TMJ Awareness Month, so now is a great time to learn more about your complex jaw joints and how you can get relief if you’re suffering from pain. The team at Springs Dentist has helped many patients over the years with beneficial TMJ treatment. 

If you’re suffering from chronic jaw pain, we can help you as well. We urge you to call us today at 719-249-5796 to schedule an appointment and evaluation.

Get the Help You Need For TMJ Pain

When your jaw hurts every time you open and close your mouth, life is no fun. You deserve to have a jaw that operates as it should, with no pain or tenderness, so that you can pursue life the way you want.

Researchers don’t fully understand the causes behind TMJ pain. It is known, however, that teeth grinding plays a role as both a symptom of and a cause of TMJ issues. Other symptoms of TMJ problems include:

  • A clicking noise when opening or closing your mouth
  • Sore jaw muscles, especially first thing after waking up
  • Worn-down teeth
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Tooth sensitivity to heat and cold
  • Unexplained headaches
  • A jaw that periodically locks in place

If you have any or several of these symptoms, irritated TMJs may be to blame. We can help alleviate your pain with a custom-fitted mouthguard. This special appliance will fit comfortably in your mouth while you sleep to move your lower jaw slightly forward. This action will reduce tension on your TMJs so they can heal. The mouthguard will also help prevent teeth grinding that can damage your tooth enamel and require restorative dentistry to repair. 

One of the best things about TMJ treatment at Springs Dentist is the way we fit you for a mouthguard. Rather than using traditional impressions that require you biting down on unpleasant goop (which could also cause you more pain), we go the high-tech route. 

We’ll digitally scan your teeth to get the needed dimensions for your mouthguard. We’ll send this information to our lab partner who will custom-craft your new appliance. Digital impressions are not only more comfortable, they’re also more precise.

Once your mouthguard arrives at our practice, we’ll have you come back in so we can make sure it fits properly and performs as it should. Worn nightly, the appliance will relieve your pain and allow your jaw joints to heal. 

Don’t suffer any longer with jaw pain! Take a moment to call Springs Dentist today at 719-249-5796 to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule online. Make this month the last one in which you experience TMJ problems.