TMDs

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)

TMD, also known as temporomandibular disorder, encompasses various jaw pain and dysfunction caused by issues with the muscles and joints of the jaw. Due to their intricate nature and abundance of nerve endings, even minor misalignments can lead to a wide range of symptoms, such as mild to severe pain, swelling, or difficulties with chewing. If you're experiencing any of these issues, The Smile Shoppe Orthodontics in Laredo, Tx is here to help with a friendly approach.

What causes TMD?

TMD can be caused by injuries to your jaw or TMJ. TMJ are the muscles of your and head and neck. Some of the symptoms that may arise from various issues with muscles on your jaw or the joint itself. Other factors that are known that can be attributed to TMDs are teeth grinding or clenching which adds pressure to the joints movement and the soft cushion between the ball and the socket. Untreated bite problems or misaligned a jaw can put extensive stress on the more sensitive parts of your TMJ. All these issues can result in chronic pain felt in the face, neck shoulders, back and arms.

How is TMD treated?

Many individuals with TMD may experience occasional minor symptoms that arise unexpectedly. Fortunately, these symptoms typically resolve on their own within a few weeks or months. During this time, there are various ways to alleviate the discomfort, such as

• consuming softer foods
• applying ice or moist heat to the affected area
• avoiding extreme jaw movements like wide yawning
• taking smaller bites of food
• alternating chewing between both sides of the mouth
• exploring gentle stress-relief techniques.

At The Smile Shoppe Orthodontics, our preference is to utilize conservative and reversible treatments for TMD whenever feasible. These treatments are non-invasive and do not result in any permanent changes to the structure or position of the jaw or teeth.

We also incorporate new techiniques that help alleviate the pain and discomfort.