TMJ is a disorder of the joints that connect the jaw to the skull. Unfortunately, TMJ currently has no cure, but according to Four Corners Dental Group, a family dentistry team located in Wasilla and Anchorage, AK, there are ways of managing and preventing the symptoms that are known to arise because of TMJ. The dentists and support staff here provide affordable dental care options to help people resolve underlying TMJ causes.

Here are a few things this family dentistry office would like you to know about TMJ:

• Causes: Although the exact causes of TMJ are not understood, there are known issues that can contribute to the disorder. Some of these issues include teeth or jaw misalignment, teeth or jaw injury, arthritis, stress, gum chewing, and poor posture.

• Symptoms: Any of the above problems can create an influx of TMJ symptoms, such as stiff jaw muscles, muscle pain while chewing, limited jaw motion, lockjaw, joint pain, ear pain, headaches, ear popping, and temple pain.

• Prevention: The most basic way to prevent TMJ is to avoid all jaw trauma. This means learning how to relax or massage your jaw during times of stress. If your jaw is ever dislocated, practicing gentle and slow facial exercises and learning how to relax your facial muscles are the best ways to heal the area and prevent TMJ from arising. Ask your dentist to recommend exercises to increase your range of motion and help your jaw heal fully.

• Treatment: If you’re already experiencing TMJ symptoms, there are some things you can do to help relieve the pain and tension, including placing ice on the jaw joint, massaging the area, gently stretching your jaw and neck, and avoid chewing gum. Also, during these times, you should only eat soft foods, practice stress management, and try to relax your whole body. If none of these methods are effective, schedule an appointment with your dentist for further care.

If you would like to put an end to the problems causing your TMJ, Four Corners Dental Group can help. To schedule an appointment with this family dentistry team today, call (907) 258-3384 for their Anchorage location or (907) 376-2790 for their Wasilla location. You can also visit them online for more information.