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Friday, December 14, 2012

Do You Have TMJ?

Have you heard of TMJ? If these three letters confuse you, let me explain what they mean and why you should know about TMJ.

TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint. Simply stated, this is your jaw joint; the area where your lower jaw (mandibular) attaches to the skull at the temporal bone. You actually have two TMJ's - one on each side. Experiencing discomfort or pain in this area is commonly referred to as “TMJ” when in actuality, TMJ is just the name of the joint. The pain and discomfort is also known as TMD and TMJD. While each of these terms is referencing the same part of your body and the problems associated with it, the terms are often used interchangeably. But, TMJ is probably the most popular name for the pain and discomfort.

When your jaw joint is out-of-sync or working improperly, it causes an unbalanced bite. This uneven bite results in the muscles of your head, neck and jaws working extra-hard, basically over-compensating for the bad bite. The over-worked muscles from an unbalanced bite can result in pain that will materialize in the form of migraines, headaches, ear-aches, neck pain, muscle tenderness, facial discomfort, a sore jaw, and a multitude of other symptoms.

Sound familiar? If so, then check out more information. The Fort Langley TMJ dentist is a great place to learn more about TMJ and get help before it becomes a really, serious problem!

*This is a sponsored post written by Cara. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.*

2 comments:

  1. I have had TMJ for many years now. I can tell when I am clenching my jaw too tightly and starting to have problems. I consciously relax and it makes a big difference. It is a case of making sure you are aware of you body, what is happening to it, and dealing with it.

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  2. I do think that I have this also. I have a lot of headaches, jaw aches, and neck aches. I do clench my jaw especially at night. I even have the ear pain that you mentioned. I should look into this.
    twinkle at optonline dot net

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