If you start each day with a headache . . . if taking over-the-counter painkillers are as much a part of your morning routine as drinking a cup of coffee . . . you may have TMJ disorder .

TMJ dysfunction is a term used to describe numerous disorders that result in disharmony of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), muscles that position and move the jaw, and teeth. The TMJ is the joint that connects the upper and lower jaws; you move it every time you bite, chew and speak.  When the top jaw and the bottom jaw aren’t in balance (called malocclusion), the TMJ is affected.  Surprisingly, it doesn’t take a lot to throw your jaw out of alignment. It can be as simple as a worn tooth throwing off the balance. But even the slightest shift can cause a variety of painful TMJ symptoms, including;

• Headaches/Migraines
• Neck, shoulder or back pain
• Facial pain
• Clicking or grating sounds in the jaw joints
• Limited movement or locking jaw
• Unexplained loose teeth
• Worn, chipped or cracked teeth
• Cracked, chipped or broken dental restorations
• Pain or soreness around the jaw joints
• Congestion or stuffiness of the ears

If you experience any of these painful symptoms on a regular basis, call my Buckhead dental practice to schedule your TMJ evaluation.