TMJ

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls everyday functions like talking and eating. It’s what allows your mouth to open and close, for chewing and swallowing. If you experience pain when doing any of these activities, you may have a temporomandibular disorder or TMD. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, D.M.D. of Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, located in Orland Park, IL.

 

Common symptoms of TMD are:

-Pain when opening or closing the mouth

-Trouble chewing

-Jaw becoming stuck open or shut

-Headaches or ear pain

-Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth

-Teeth grinding

 

Although all the symptoms of TMD are problematic, teeth grinding is probably one of the most detrimental symptoms. Teeth grinding or bruxism wears down and destroys the teeth. The enamel will eventually wear away and expose the dentin. This material is more sensitive and is very susceptible to decay.

 

Pain relievers and cold/hot compresses can help manage short term symptoms. A night guard is the best way to curb teeth grinding. It prevents the top and bottom teeth from touching, keeping you from wearing away your enamel.

 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visit Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong, D.M.D., visit our website or call 708-444-8341.

TMD-Fibromyalgia Connection

At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park orthodontic office, we provide crucial assistance to people suffering from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD or TMJD). Characterized by painful sensations in the joint which connects the jaw to the rest of the head, TMD can radiate outward and cause the patient to grind their teeth at night. Today, we’re looking at another disorder which has a high rate of comorbidity with TMJ: fibromyalgia.

One of the more poorly understood disorders, fibromyalgia causes fatigue and pain throughout the body. It is believed to be caused by a problem in how the brain reacts to input from the nervous system and can be triggered by trauma or illness. Besides TMD and the headaches, neck aches, and shoulder aches TMD causes, fibromyalgia also is associated with migraines, menstruation difficulty, and irritable bowel syndrome and can cause cognitive and memory problems for patients. As with TMD, women are likelier to get it than men, but fibromyalgia tends to show up in middle-aged people, while TMD more often occurs in young adults.

TMD poses a threat to patients’ oral health by causing teeth grinding and jaw clenching. If a patient’s TMD is related to fibromyalgia, it is even more important for them to reduce their pain, protect their teeth, and get better rest by getting fitted at our office for a customized night guard.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.

 

What is TMD?

The tempromandibilar joint is a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones in your skull, in front of each ear.  A general term for any problem or issue with this joint is temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.  Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics can help patients prevent and recover from negative effects of TMD.

Patients that grind or clench their teeth often end up with a sore jaw.  Other patients experience injuries with facial trauma that cause jaw pain or result in the patient feeling their jaw gets stuck or ‘locked’ in either an open or closed position.  A custom night guard keeps the jaw in a neutral position during sleep, and this helps many patients find relief from TMD symptoms.  For any pain, your dentist may recommend an over-the-counter painkiller or warm and cold compresses.  To prevent further discomfort, you may be assigned stretches for your jaw. 

Whatever your symptoms, you don’t have to suffer discomfort in your jaw.  To learn more about TMD and the services we provide at the practice, visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.

Exercises for TMJ Pain

When suffering through TMD, it can seem like you do not want to move your jaw at all. However, there are actually exercises that can help. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL treats patients with TMJ pain or TMD. Take some of these jaw relaxation tips.

To improve the range of motion your jaw has, gently open and close your mouth. Do this a few times every morning and every night to see improvement over time.

To stretch your jaw, close your mouth and place your right hand on the right side of your jaw. Gently push your lower jaw into your hand. Do this a few times and then switch to the other side. Another great stretching option is to apply resistance. Place your thumb under your chin and gently press up while you open your mouth halfway; creating resistance. Do this exercise ten times.

To relieve jaw tension and relax facial muscles, smile a really big smile. Smile as wide as you can while opening your jaw about two inches. While you are smiling, take in a few deep breaths and then relax. Repeat this exercise a few times.

Relieving tension and stretching muscles can not only help with existent pain but it can also help prevent future pain flare-ups.  If you have frequent jaw pain, schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL. Our office can be reached at (708) 444-8341. Appointments can also be made through our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

Foods to Avoid for TMJ Pain

When dealing with TMJ, it is important to know about certain habits that can trigger pain or prolong already existing pain. Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics of Orland Park, IL wants to remind our patients suffering with TMJ of what foods to avoid. We will even let you know ways around them!

To begin, crunchy and hard foods can be very aggravating to the TMJs. Popcorn and chips should be avoided. Hard foods like raw carrots and other vegetables can also irritate the TMJs because of how much force the jaw needs to exert to bite them. However, veggies should not be avoided altogether. Since they are an important part of your diet, try cooking them so they become softer and easier to chew.

Chewy foods are another type of food that should be avoided when you have TMJ difficulty. The constant chewing motion and pressure needed to chew through these foods can cause irritation. Avoid chewing gum, sticky candies, and tougher meats and seafood. Make sure you are eating a tenderer cut of meat and if you still want to eat seafood, choose a more tender option like fish.

In addition to the types of foods you should be avoiding, also, be sure to avoid putting large pieces of food in your mouth. Overextending your mouth can cause TMJ irritation. To get around this, just cut your food into smaller pieces.

TMJ may change the way you eat, but most foods are still able to be enjoyed if they are prepared in a different form. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics in Orland Park, IL, call our office at (708) 444-8341 or visit our website, www.drcynthiawong.com. 

What is TMJ/TMD Syndrome?

 

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. This joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a variety of conditions that affect TM joints, jaw muscles and facial nerves. Here at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics, Dr. Cynthia Wong can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms.

The main symptom of a TMJ disorder is pain in the jaw joint. Although the causes of TMJ syndrome are not completely understood, the causes may include: misalignment or trauma to the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, stress or anxiety, excessive gum chewing, or arthritis and other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscles for tenderness, clicking, popping or difficulty moving.

If you are waking up with jaw pain, or experience clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing your mouth, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about Invisalign braces visit www.drcynthiawong.com for more information. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Cynthia Wong in Orland Park, IL, call 708-444-8341.