June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month! While there are many causes for headaches, one of the most common culprits is a TMJ disorder. If you are tired of living with chronic jaw and head pain, we can help. At Arlington Dental, we offer many ways to treat your TMJ disorder. In today’s blog post, we’ll be reviewing our solutions to this painful problem:

What is a TMJ Disorder?

Your TMJ (or your temporomandibular joint) is on either side of your jaw and connects the jawbone to your skull. It allows you to chew, speak, yawn, laugh, and sing comfortably and easily. 

When the TMJ becomes inflamed or injured in some way, it can lead to a disorder and won’t function properly. You may experience pain in your jaw and hear popping or clicking sounds when opening your mouth. Other symptoms include headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and earaches. 

There are a variety of factors that lead to this problem, however, the exact cause of the disorder may not be known. Fortunately, you can find help when you visit Arlington Dental.

Treatments for a TMJ Disorder

When you come in for an appointment about a TMJ disorder, our first step is to get a digital X-ray of your mouth. This helps us determine the best path to treatment. From there, depending on our findings, we may recommend:

  • Custom Mouthguards

If your TMJ disorder results from biting or clenching your teeth, we can create a customized mouthguard. It acts as a barrier between your teeth, so you don’t press down and inflame your jaw any longer. Your TMJ can heal, so you can find relief from jaw pain and headaches.

  • Invisalign Treatment

An alignment issue can often lead to issues with your TMJ. Fortunately, orthodontics can help. At our practice, we offer Invisalign treatments. These popular clear aligners will gradually straighten your teeth over the course of 12 to 18 months. As a result of treatment, not only will you have attractive teeth, but you’ll also eliminate your jaw and headache pain.

  • Botox 

Botox is an FDA-approved treatment to get alleviate the pain of a TMJ disorder. We’ll inject the Botox strategically around your TMJ to relieve the muscle tension in your face. It only takes a few minutes to take effect and the results last about six months.

Your treatment may include one or several of our solutions. Either way, we’re confident you’ll feel better! Before you know it, your TMJ pain and headaches will be gone.

Don’t hesitate to get the help you need! Call Arlington Dental today at 901-445-8144 for an appointment in Cordova, TN.