Pop Smiles

7 Tree Farm Road Suite #202 Pennington, NJ 08534

What is TMJ?

Many patients visit our office looking for solutions on how to resolve their chronic jaw pain. Often, we find that jaw pain is associated with a TMJ disorder or an issue with the temporomandibular joints that connect the jawbone to the skull. TMJ disorders are characterized by pain that develops in and around the area of these joints. As your trusted orthodontist office in Pennington, NJ, we specialize in treating TMJ disorders and helping you manage your symptoms.

SYMPTOMS OF TMJ

There are multiple symptoms of TMJ disorders to look out for, including.

  • Teeth clenching and grinding
  • Jaw pain
  • Neck pain
  • Chronic earaches
  • Chronic migraines
  • Back or shoulder pain
  • Jaw popping or clicking

If you notice that you are experiencing any of these symptoms, let our dental team know at your next appointment. We can help determine if you have TMJ. Jaw pain can be caused by a variety of things including increased stress, anxiety, or teeth grinding. If you commonly hold a lot of tension in your jaw throughout the day, here are some simple suggestions that can help ease your jaw pain until your appointment:

  • Chew evenly on both sides of your mouth
  • Practice good posture
  • Consider oral appliance therapy for teeth grinding
  • Relax your face often
  • Avoid gum chewing

While stress and teeth grinding are common causes of jaw pain, there are also underlying dental concerns that could be causing your jaw pain. Bite misalignment is a huge contributor to jaw pain. This is because your dental structures are designed to work together when performing daily tasks like chewing or speaking. If your bite pattern is misaligned due to crooked, missing, or damaged teeth, your mouth muscles as a whole are having to put in extra effort throughout the day to compensate for this issue. That is why many patients with crooked teeth often develop jaw pain issues.


Bite misalignment is a dental concern that we are happy to treat at Pennington Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. Our dental professionals will work with you to determine what treatment method will best treat your bite misalignment. Once complete, your treatment should not only resolve your jaw pain but also give you a straighter and healthier smile. It is important to note that orthodontic treatment doesn’t just have cosmetic benefits but restorative benefits as well. Addressing your bite misalignment sooner rather than later can put you less at risk for developing jaw pain, tooth decay, and further dental damages.

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

If you suspect you are struggling with a TMJ disorder, please call Pennington Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry at (609) 337-4758. Our dental professionals are excited about the opportunity to help you resolve your jaw pain and restore your peace of mind. We offer a wide range of services and options for keeping your family’s teeth healthy, including complete pediatric dentistry and orthodontic care with Invisalign®, Damon® Smile, and Damon® Clear™ braces. With convenient office hours at our Pennington office, your family can receive pediatric dental care or orthodontics on your schedule.


Please request an appointment with us online, and we look forward to seeing you soon!

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