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Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are probably one of the most neglected parts of your facial area. Ironically, they are one of the most functional. When something’s wrong with them, you may not be able to eat, talk, or open your mouth as you naturally would. Neglecting the problem may require you to have a serious orthodontic treatment.
Although TMJ disorders are almost unheard of, millions of people suffer from them. Some do not even know they have it. If your jaws haven’t locked, produced those clicking sounds or that sharp piercing pain when chewing, your TMJ are relatively healthy.
If you want to prevent these awful symptoms and keep your jaw joints working like a well oiled machine, here a few tips to take excellent care of your TMJ.
Get Rid of the Stress
Stress is still the number one cause of most health problems – including your joints. Being stressed makes your jaw muscles tense and forces you to clench your teeth. These put damaging pressure to your TMJ. Instead of waiting for your joints to tell you to slow down, be conscious of your thoughts and actions and learn how to manage stress properly.
Practice Preventive Care
There are many ways to prevent TMJ disorders. If you play sports, use mouth guards to prevent any type of jaw injuries. This also helps prevent your teeth from being knocked out. If you like chewing gum, make it your New Year’s resolution to stop. It wears out your joints and increases the risk of jaw locks and dislocation. If you have bruxism, wear a mouth guard and do your best to control it.
Drop by Our Practice
At the first symptom of discomfort, drop by Orthodontic Alliances immediately. If you met an accident or have a history of localized diseases in your jaw area, you need to submit yourself to a comprehensive check-up right away. TMJ disorders may also be caused by systemic diseases. Our screening can help you identify them early and get the treatment you need.
Get in touch with us now and set an appointment with one of our orthodontic specialists. Whether you need treatment or additional preventive tips, they are more than happy to cater to your every need.