Temporomandibular Disorders
TMD’s, or temporomandibular disorders, represent any sort of problem that afflicts the joint of your jawbone. Many people suffer from some form of TMD, and the reasons behind their disorder are not always clear.
Common Causes of TMD
However, it is likely that any given TMD can be traced back to one of the following common causes:
- Trauma suffered around your jaw, neck, or head.
- Bruxism, or excessive grinding or clenching of the jaw, which puts a lot of strain on your jaw muscles.
- Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in your jaw area.
- Certain serious disease, like gingivitis or oral cancer. These diseases can change the way your jaw fits into your skull, compromising the strength of your TMJ and inviting injury.
- Though the reasons behind this are not understood, the group most likely to suffer from TMD is women between the age of twenty and forty.
If you experience a persistent pain in your jaw, there are measures your dentist can take to help you manage TMD you may have. Talk to our Bellevue dentist to learn more.
