Have you ever experienced shooting jaw pain, recurring headaches, and intense tooth-grinding? These symptoms might be common among people with tooth problems, but they should still be cautious.
These could already be signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Statistically, 25% to 30% of the population has TMD. Though most people get better without any treatment, some may need an intervention from a specialist.
Depending on the root cause, a perfectly fitting denture, medication, or surgery can solve the problem.
To know more about TMD, read on.
What is TMD?
This disorder mainly affects the temporomandibular joint. It causes pain in the mouth and head due to the constant rubbing of joints against each other. Various factors, such as poor sleeping habits, poor posture, stress, uneven or unbalanced teeth, and even chewing gum, may cause this problem.
There are two types of TMD, and the diagnosis is often classified as painful and non-painful. Some people have unbearable pain, while others experience a more manageable asymptomatic TMD.
Symptoms of TMD
TMD affects the joint-like hinge that connects the lower jaw to the skull. However, it still allows normal chewing and swallowing.
The most typical symptom of this disorder is pain on both sides of the face or head.
Other symptoms include clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth or jaw, sore neck, and back, difficulty swallowing food, headaches, earaches, toothaches, dizziness, numb face or lips, and sleep disturbances.
Benefits of Dentures to TMD Sufferers
Dentures are removable prostheses that replace all (complete) or part (partial) of the natural teeth. Material compositions such as acrylic, porcelain, or metal are fixed with dental cement to the natural teeth.
They provide pain relief, comfort, and stability for the wearer’s mouth and decrease the risk of gum disease.
In addition, they offer a stable platform for chewing food and prevent further damage to the jaw joint by providing support for chewing muscles.
According to research, patients with complete dentures show improvement in the signs and symptoms of TMD. This result usually occurs among wearers whose dentures fit perfectly.
Other Treatments for TMD
Aside from perfectly fitting dentures, many other treatments are available for TMD. Many factors can cause the disorder, and the treatment usually depends on the cause.
Medication, splint, physical therapy, and going on a soft food diet are among the possible treatments for TMD.
Though surgery is available, non-surgical and non-invasive treatments are always the best first option.
Know When You Have TMD and Get Dentures
TMD has a lot of devastating effects on your daily life, from mood swings to chronic pain. The solution can be as easy as getting dentures or as complicated as undergoing surgery.
A TMD specialist will assist you in determining the most suitable treatment for your case.
If you already have dentures and believe you need to have them replaced, try going for denture repair first. It can be a quick fix to eliminate TMD symptoms while saving money.
Sandra is a health blogger based in San Diego, California. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. She loves being outdoors and exploring new places with her husband. She is a mom of two awesome kids and a dog named Luna!