Know Your Risk of TMJ Disorder

Believe it or not, everyone is at risk of developing a TMJ disorder because everyone has temporomandibular joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. When these joints don’t function properly, the jaw can lock, make clicking and popping noises when moved, become swollen and painful and create headaches.

If you experience the above symptoms, come to Dr. Christina Sehy VerSchave for an assessment of your jaw structure. During the exam, she will ask questions to determine the cause of your disorder. The most common causes of TMJ disorders are:

1. Arthritis: arthritis damages the cartilage in joints, causing pain and misalignment in the jaw.
2. Jaw trauma: if the jaw area is struck with enough force, the discs can be knocked out of alignment.
3. Misalignment: As jaw structure changes over time, the system doesn’t always fit together as it should.
4. Stress and teeth grinding: Plenty of people grind their teeth in their sleep or as a result of stress. The constant pressure can wear out muscles. Not everyone tooth-grinder develops a TMJ disorder, but teeth grinding elevates your risk level.
5. Gender: TMJ disorders most often occur in women between the ages of 20 and 40, leading scientists to believe there could be a link between TMJ disorders and female hormones.

Even if you aren’t currently experiencing symptoms of a TMJ disorder, but you have a high risk level, come see us in Lakewood, Colorado. Simply contact Belmar Smiles at 303-935-3574 to learn about treatment options.