When a person needs to chew food, yawn, or even talk to a friend, he or she depends on the TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, to get the job done. This joint works to connect the skull with the lower jaw and allow free movement for a variety of activities. When something isn’t quite working with this part of the body, it is important to seek out an expert on TMJ in Grove City PA.
There are several reasons that a patient schedules an appointment with a dentist or an oral surgeon in order to address the TMJ in Grove City PA. Sometimes an accident will create a problem with the TMJ. For example, an incident involving blunt force to the lower jaw could cause the area to become misaligned. Also, a person that grinds his or her teeth could also be creating a problem.
So how does a person know if he or she is having issues with the TMJ in Grove City PA? One of the most common symptoms of a TMJ disorder is pain and aching around this part of the face. For some, the pain can spread throughout the face and even work its way down into the neck and shoulders. Because of the pain, many people cannot fully open their mouths, creating problems when they speak or eat.
Aside from the pain surrounding the face, people also tend to feel like something in their bite isn’t right. When they bring their teeth together, it could seem like the bite is off, causing the upper and lower teeth to feel misaligned when they come into contact. As the teeth come together, if the bite is off, it causes pain in specific teeth as well as the jaw.
In addition to the pain, noises coming from the TMJ in Grove City PA are also signs that something isn’t right with the joint. Everything from popping or even grating as the joint moves is a sign that the TMJ needs to be examined by a professional. Even if the pain, swelling, or noises aren’t from a TMJ disorder, each symptom suggests that a patient needs to visit a dentist or oral surgeon for assistance.
