Headaches and jaw pain. They're just two of the symptoms of TMJ, or temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Associated with the hinge-like joints at both sides of the head, TMJ can be debilitating. However, Dr. Sina and Dr. Oweisy at My Braces Doctor in Fairfax, VA, know TMJ and how to relieve it.

How TMJ happens

Muscles and tendons attach your lower jaw bone to your skull, operating it in a up and down motion and also side to side. These motions facilitate biting and chewing, speaking and other oral functions.

Sadly, injury to the face, improper dental bite, stress and arthritis in the joints themselves may lead to symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Symptoms include:

• A popping or grinding sound when you eat, speak, or yawn
• Chewing difficulties
• Ear pain
• Headaches
• Tinnitus, or buzzing, ringing sounds in the ears
• Restricted jaw movement
• Mouth stuck open or closed (this is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment)

Receiving treatment

At My Braces Doctor in Fairfax, Dr. Sina or Dr. Oweisy can evaluate you for TMJ. They will look at your bite, watch how your jaw functions and take X-rays. From there, she'll advise you on a course of treatment.

Only the most complex jaw joint dysfunction requires corrective surgery. However, some patients do benefit from the placement of dental crowns and/or orthodontic treatment to balance bite issues and eliminate bruxism--habitual grinding and teeth clenching which excessively wears tooth enamel.

Finally, minimally-invasive or non-invasive strategies often provide relief. These include:

• Steroidal injections to reduce inflammation caused by arthritis in the joint
• Wearing a bite guard custom-fitted by your dentist to relieve the pressures of bruxism
• Over the counter analgesics, such as ibuprofen
• Muscle relaxants (oral medications)
• Stress reduction therapies
• A soft diet for an amount of time to be determined by your dentist and/or physician

A good outcome

Most TMJ patients find relief with careful management of their symptoms, reports MedicalNewsToday. So, Dr. Nadia Sina and Dr. Hilda Oweisy encourage you to come to My Braces Doctor in Fairfax, VA, for help. Feel like yourself again! Phone our Fairfax, Manassas or Fredericksburg office for a consultation: (703) 877-0990.