Have you been waking up with a headache? Do you feel tired or exhausted, even after your second cup of coffee? Is this making you irritable and restless? There are a number of warning signs that you could be suffering from TMJ, including frequent headaches and tiredness. Fortunately, there is hope. Your dentist could help address the causes of your TMJ so you can get a better night’s rest, and feel better during the day. So if you’re tired of suffering in silence, call your restorative dentist and ask about how TMJ therapy could get you back to feeling like yourself again.

What Is TMJ?

TMJ is a disorder that affects the jaw joints, which can in turn make it difficult to open the mouth widely, or to move it sideways. Over time, the jaw joints can then cause widespread pain, which is what can lead to headaches, ear ringing, neck and shoulder pain, and difficulty chewing or even speaking. It also negatively affects many people’s ability to sleep well, which can impact their mood, productivity level and more.

How Can a Dentist Help?

Thankfully, a general dentist can often help treat TMJ. In some cases treatment is as simple as supplying the patient with a custom mouthguard or occlusal splint, that can help the jaw muscles rest more comfortably, particularly during sleep. Other cases may call for more extensive treatment, such as orthodontic care, or, as a last resort, oral surgery.

If the problems were caused by tooth loss, a prosthetic tooth might also be able to help.

Which treatment is right for you will depend on the severity of your TMJ. If you’ve noticed any symptoms of TMJ, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible, in order to prevent the problems from worsening over time.