Get Relief With TMJ/TMD Treatment

Eliminate Jaw Pain, Headaches, And Other Symptoms

If you have TMJ/TMD, jaw pain can have a serious negative effect on your life. You may not be able to focus at work, eat your favorite foods, or even speak or smile without discomfort. At Grundy Dental Studio, we’re here to help.

Dr. James Grundy is an expert in TMJ/TMD treatment in Boise, ID. During your consultation, he will diagnose the root cause of your condition, explain all of your options for treatment, and develop a treatment plan that will get you out of pain and restore your jaw health, too.

What Is TMJ/TMD?

TMJ/TMD refers to a disorder that affects the “temporomandibular joint.” These are the small, delicate joints that attach your jaw to your skull, and they are located right below your ears. When they're healthy, these joints allow your jaw to move smoothly when you chew, speak, laugh, smile, yawn, and move your mouth around.
However, if these joints become inflamed or damaged, they may stop working properly. This may cause pain and discomfort or even interfere with the proper movement of your jaw. This condition is called “temporomandibular joint disorder,” or just TMJ/TMD for short. TMJ/TMD can have lots of different symptoms, including:

• Pain and tenderness in the jaw, especially when chewing
• Tooth pain, especially in the rear of your mouth
• Earaches, headaches, and neck pain
• Clicking or grating sounds when you open and close your mouth
• Jaw “locking” that makes it hard to fully open or close your mouth

What Causes TMJ/TMD?

TMJ/TMD can be caused by lots of different things. And in most cases, it’s not caused by a single issue, but by a combination of multiple factors and conditions such as:

• Stress
• Poor posture
• Direct trauma to the temporomandibular joint
• Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
• An unhealthy bite and/or crooked teeth
• Joint overuse from chewing gum or eating lots of chewy food
• Chewing ice, pens, pencils, and other non-food objects
• Arthritis and certain autoimmune diseases

Understanding Your TMJ/TMD Treatment Options

Bite splints

If you have TMJ/TMD, Dr. Grundy will typically recommend a bite splint as part of your treatment plan. This is a special type of mouthguard that you will wear at night. It shifts your jaws into a healthier position, relieving stress on the joints and allowing them to heal. Bite splints can also help with teeth grinding, which is a major contributing factor to TMJ/TMD.

Orthodontic treatment

If you have TMJ/TMD due to issues with your bite and the alignment of your teeth, orthodontic treatment with Invisalign or braces may be a good option for relieving your pain and discomfort. A properly aligned bite reduces stress on the temporomandibular joint and other structures of your face.

Physical therapy

In some cases, physical therapy may be recommended to help with TMJ/TMD. There are a variety of different exercises you can do at home to stretch, strengthen, and exercise your jaw joints. This can help relieve the pain and other symptoms of TMJ/TMD.

Lifestyle changes

TMJ/TMD symptoms can also be reduced by making some changes to your lifestyle. For example, eating a diet of mostly soft foods for a few weeks can help reduce strain on your jaw joints, allowing them to heal and recover. Other lifestyle changes could include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol use, getting more exercise, taking steps to relieve stress, and getting plenty of sleep.

Get Help With TMJ/TMD In Boise, ID At Grundy Dental Studio

You don’t have to let pain, jaw stiffness, headaches, and the other symptoms of TMJ/TMD interrupt your life. At Grundy Dental Studio, our team can help you get the relief you deserve. Dr. James Grundy is an expert in TMJ/TMD treatment.

During your visit, Dr. Grundy can diagnose the cause of your condition, develop a personalized treatment plan, and help you work toward a healthy, pain-free jaw. If you’re ready to fight back against TMJ/TMD and restore your jaw health, you can give us a call or book your first visit to Grundy Dental Studio online.