Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the muscles and joints of the jaw. If you do not seek treatment for TMJ, you may suffer from serious and painful symptoms such as:
- Chipped, cracked, or broken teeth
- Radiating pain in your neck, jaw, and face
- Sore or stiff jaw muscles
- Lockjaw
- Popping or clicking sounds in your ears
Reasons Why You Should Never Avoid TMJ Treatment
Many patients tend to ignore their painful symptoms because they have a fear or anxiety about dental treatment and costs. However, waiting to get TMJ treatment in Okotoks is not a good idea because symptoms will only worsen and require more extensive treatment down the line.
If you have symptoms such as migraines, radiating facial pain, or chipped teeth, you need to visit our dentist near you as soon as you can. Here are four reasons why you should never postpone TMJ treatment:
#1 TMJ Affects Your Quality of Life
Feeling discomfort when eating, talking, or smiling can negatively impact your daily life. Neglecting to get TMJ treatment near you means that these everyday activities will continue to cause you pain instead of pleasure. For a lot of patients, the constant disruption to their daily routines due to the pain caused by TMJ deeply affects their quality of life.
#2 You May Not Understand the Extent of Damage Caused by TMJ
While you may believe that TMJ only causes irritating symptoms such as jaw pain, this condition is related to a plethora of symptoms, including:
- Vertigo/dizziness
- Neck and back pain
- Frequent headaches/migraines
- Numbness in fingers
With all the symptoms that TMJ can cause, you may find yourself with lowered strength, increased fatigue, and lots of physical pain.
#3 A Loss of Productivity
Pain from TMJ can harm your performance and productivity when working. Not only will the constant pain and migraines make it hard for you to attend work, but they will also make concentrating on your job much more difficult. As well, TMJ pain that is not treated by a dentist in Okotoks can lead to secondary symptoms such as:
- Increased anxiety
- Irritability
- Lethargy
#4 You May Have a More Serious Condition
While rare, your jaw pain and discomfort could indicate more serious complications, such as cardiovascular problems, heart attack, or oral cancer. If you notice any signs of jaw pain, it is in your best interest to be looked at by a dental professional as soon as possible. Your dentist can evaluate you for TMJ and determine if your symptoms are caused by this disorder or by something more serious. Either way, your dentist is the best place to start to get the treatments you need.
Visit Cimarron Dental Wellness
When you consider all the things that you could enjoy and accomplish if you didn’t have to deal with the chronic pain caused by TMJ, such as working harder and developing loving personal relationships, you should realize that seeking treatment is in your best interest.
At Cimarron Dental Wellness, we understand just how debilitating TMJ can be, and we are happy to offer our patients options to alleviate their painful and frustrating symptoms. From treatment options such as customized mouthguards and physical therapy, our team of dedicated dental professionals is confident that we can get you the help you need.
If you have any questions or concerns about the nature of TMJ and our available treatment methods, don’t hesitate to reach out. Please contact our clinic today to book a consultation!