When you’re talking to a friend or eating dinner, do you ever think about the mechanics involved in making that happen? In summary, there are hinges located just in front of your ears that allow you to open, close and move your jaw so you can happily have a conversation and enjoy a good meal. That hinge is called your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short. Fortunately, most people don’t need to think about this joint because it functions properly. However, for those who have TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, the symptoms can be quite problematic. Fortunately, there is a solution. Dr. Bobby Carmen offers TMJ therapy in Moore, OK, so sufferers don’t need to think about their TMJ anymore.
For TMJ Therapy, Moore Residents Trust Dr. Carmen
May 1, 2016
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Eliminate the Painful Symptoms of TMJ Disorder with help from Dr. Bobby Carmen
February 28, 2015
Have you ever heard of your temporomandibular joints? No? That’s okay, even though they’re located on either side of the face just in front of the ears, most people haven’t heard of them either. However, if you experience persistent headaches or a host of other painful symptoms, then you may want to spend some time learning about those joints. Dr. Bobby J. Carmen in Norman, OK, treats patients with TMJ disorder, or TMD, so they can get back to living a productive and pain-free life.
Your temporomandibular joints allow you to open and close your mouth, so you can chew, talk, smile, laugh and yawn. If these joints malfunction—whether because of a bite problem that is brought on by misaligned teeth, uneven surfaces on the teeth caused by teeth grinding, or a hard blow to the face—then the consequences can be a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Perhaps the most common symptom is pain when chewing. Other symptoms may include:
- Headaches and migraines
- The feeling of an earache without infection
- Swelling on the side of the face
- A clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- A stiff or locked jaw
- Misaligned teeth or other changes in your bite
TMJ Therapy in Norman, OK
If Dr. Carmen does diagnose you with TMD, then the goals are to arrest it, protect teeth from further damage, and correct underlying bite misalignment. To do this, Dr. Carmen may prescribe an oral appliance that you’ll wear at night to reduce stress on your jaw. You’ll also want to avoid eating hard and chewy foods, slouching—good posture can alleviate pain in your head, neck and shoulders—and stressful situations as much as possible, which naturally cause people to clench their teeth.
Call Our Office Today
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then call Dr. Bobby Carmen today to schedule a consultation to determine if the cause is TMD. Dr. Carmen serves patients in Norman, OK, as well as the surrounding communities of Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and central Oklahoma and beyond.
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TMJ Therapy with Dr. Carmen Can Help With Pain
December 20, 2013
TMJ pain affects millions of people, forcing them to live with piercing pain and constant uneasiness. Although you may think nothing can alleviate you of your pain, as part of our family dentistry practice, Dr. Bobby Carmen is able to help. We will make sure you will be able to live your life pain-free and happier!
The TMJ, temporomandibular joint, is a small joint located where the lower jaw meets the skull. There are many things that can cause TMJ pain such as grinding teeth, arthritis, and the joint itself. The side effects of TMJ pain include not being able to open your mouth all the way, hearing a popping or clicking noise when you open your mouth, and much more. One way to help with your TMJ pain may involve wearing a mouthguard. The mouthguard prevents your teeth from grinding as well as clenching your jaw. Because every person is different, the mouthguards should be different as well. The mouthguard will be custom made specifically for you, and is a wonderful step in relieving you of your TMJ pain.
You can also do jaw massages to help with TMJ pain. If you massage your temple and jaw, it increases blood circulation, helping with the pain. Also, good posture helps! A straight back and a relaxed neck can really make a difference!
If you feel as though Dr. Carmen is able to help you with you TMJ pain, or you have any questions about treatment options, make an appointment at our office, and our experienced and knowledgeable team will be ready to help you with anything you need!
Contact our Norman office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Carmen. Our team can’t wait to leave you with a happier and healthier smile. We also serve the areas of Moore, the University of Oklahoma, and beyond.
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