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Posts for tag: tmj disorders

Chronic pain can turn your life upside down. While there are a number of disorders that fit in this category, two of them—fibromyalgia and temporomandibular disorders (TMD)—can disrupt your quality of life to the extreme. And it may be the two conditions have more in common than similar symptoms—according to one study, three-fourths of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia show symptoms of TMD.
To understand why this is, let’s take a closer look at these two conditions.
Fibromyalgia presents as widespread pain, aching or stiffness in the muscles and joints. Patients may also have general fatigue, sleep problems, mood swings or memory failures. TMD is a group of conditions that often result in pain and impairment of the temporomandibular joints that join the jaw with the skull. TMD can make normal activities like chewing, speaking or even yawning painful and difficult to do.
Researchers are now focusing on what may, if anything, connect these two conditions. Fibromyalgia is now believed to be an impairment of the central nervous system within the brain rather than a problem with individual nerves. One theory holds that the body has imbalances in its neurotransmitters, which interfere with the brain’s pain processing.
Researchers have also found fibromyalgia patients with TMD have an increased sensitivity overall than those without the conditions. In the end, it may be influenced by genetics as more women than men are prone to have either of the conditions.
Treating these conditions is a matter of management. Although invasive techniques like jaw surgery for TMD are possible, the results (which are permanent) have been inconclusive in their effectiveness for relieving pain. We usually recommend patients try more conservative means first to lessen pain and difficulties, including soft foods, physical therapy, stretching exercises and muscle relaxant medication. Since stress is a major factor in both conditions, learning and practicing relaxation techniques may also be beneficial.
In similar ways, these techniques plus medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy that may influence neurotransmission can also help relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia. Be sure then that you consult with both your physician and dentist caring for both these diseases for the right approach for you to help relieve the effects of these two debilitating conditions.
If you would like more information on managing TMD or fibromyalgia, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Fibromyalgia and Temporomandibular Disorders.”

Eating is one of the pleasures — and necessities — of life, but people who suffer from temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) may find eating no pleasure at all — and they may not be eating the right nutritional balance of foods.
TMD is a collection of conditions that affect the jaw joints, connecting muscles and other related facial structures. If you've been diagnosed with TMD, you're probably not only acquainted with severe pain, but also difficulty opening your jaw as widely as normal. This can make it difficult to chew certain foods.
There are a number of effective treatments for TMD, including thermal therapy (hot or cold packs), joint exercise, medication or surgery (as a last resort). But these treatments often take time to make a noticeable difference. In the meantime, you may still need to change what and how you eat to ensure you're getting the nutrients your body needs.
The overall strategy should be to soften and reduce the chewing size of your food. With fruits and vegetables, you'll want to peel and discard any hard or chewy skins, and then chop the fruit flesh into smaller pieces. Steam or cook vegetables like greens, broccoli or cauliflower until they're soft and then chop them into smaller portions. You might also consider pureeing your fruit (and some vegetables) to make smoothies with ice, milk or yogurt, or vegetable-based soups.
Treat meat, poultry or seafood in much the same way, especially biting sizes. Besides cooking meats to tenderness, include moisteners like broths, gravies or brazing liquids to further make them easier to chew.
Dairy foods are an important source of nutrition: eat milk-based products like yogurt or cheese as much as you can handle. If you have problems with these or also nut butters, then consider meal replacement beverages like instant breakfast or whey protein beverages.
And don't forget whole grains. Although some can be hard to chew, you can prepare them in hot cereal form (like oatmeal) to tenderize them. You can also prepare thin bread toast and cut into smaller pieces.
Hopefully, your treatment will bring your TMD symptoms under manageable control. Until then (and after, if need be) adjust your diet to eat the foods that keep you healthy.
If you would like more information on maintaining a healthy diet with TMD, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.

A blow to the face can result in a variety of injuries to your jaws and the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that join the lower jaw to the skull. Only a thorough examination can determine the type and extent of the injury, and how to treat it.
The pain you feel in your jaw may indicate a direct injury, usually near the joint. This could mean the joint head (condyle) has dislocated, or moved out of the joint space. It could also mean you’ve fractured your lower jaw, most commonly just below the head of the joint.
Jaw pain can also indicate structures near the jaw and joint have been damaged and the jaw is indirectly affected. In some cases a damaged tooth may be radiating pain signals through the jaw (along similar nerve paths). More likely, trauma to soft tissue near the jaw joint has swelled with inflammation, putting pressure on the joint and temporarily stopping the condyle from seating fully in the joint space.
Any of these injuries can also cause painful muscle spasms, a defensive reaction from the body that causes muscles on either side of the jaw to limit movement preventing further damage (a natural splint, if you will). Thus, the pain may be compounded by a diminished range of motion when you try to chew or speak.
It’s important, therefore, to determine the exact cause of pain and limited movement before commencing treatment. Spasms and inflammation are usually treated with muscle relaxant drugs and anti-inflammatory pain relievers. In the case of a dislocation, gentle manipulation can ease the condyle back into the joint space. A fracture would require more extensive treatment, including repositioning broken bone and immobilizing the jaw from movement to allow healing. In the most severe cases, surgical treatment may be necessary to internally immobilize the joint.
If you sustain an injury that results in jaw swelling and pain, you should see us without delay. The sooner we can diagnose and begin the proper treatment for your injury, the less likely you’ll encounter long-term problems and the sooner you’ll be pain and swelling free.
If you would like more information on the causes and treatment of jaw pain, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Jaw Pain.”

Dentist - Fort Worth
2551 River Park Plaza
Fort Worth, TX 76116
817-732-4419
Our Blog
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- 2019
- January (6)
- Stay Hydrated in Winter for Better Year-Round Oral Hygiene
- 'Get Rid' of Those Unattractive Teeth with Porcelain Veneers
- A New Veneer with Minimal or No Tooth Alteration
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- Moderate Fluoride Use Packs the Biggest Punch for Decay Prevention
- 3 Things You Might Notice with Your Child's Teeth That Need a Dentist
- 2018
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- Wisdom Teeth Warrant Close Watch to Avoid Future Health Issues
- Treating Gum Abscesses and the Underlying Gum Disease
- Take a Look into Your Future with a Trial Smile
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Watch What Carbs You Eat to Reduce Your Risk of Further Gum Disease
- Treating Gum Disease may Require Invasive Procedures
- November (6)
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- Moderate Your Child's Juice Drinking to Lower Tooth Decay Risk
- Regardless of What You've Seen Online, Don't Fear a Root Canal Treatment
- A Stainless Steel Crown Could Help a Struggling Primary Molar Last Longer
- Don't Ignore Sudden Tooth Pain - Your Teeth may be Telling you Something
- This November, Become a Non-Smoker
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- Find Out Why You or Your Partner Snores - it may be Sleep Apnea
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Good Oral Hygiene Isn't Just for Teeth
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- Keep an Eye Out for Problems if Your Children Grind Their Teeth
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- A New School Year, A New Beginning
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- Stop Gum Disease Before it Gets Started with Daily Oral Hygiene
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- Dental Porcelain is a Great Option for Creating a Natural Appearance
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- Weighing the Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
- Can't Afford Dental Implants? Consider Partial Dentures
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- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- Diabetes Doesn't Have to Stop You From Acquiring Dental Implants
- Answering Your Questions about Your Upcoming Teeth Whitening
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- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
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- Do you need Simple Tooth Removal or Surgery? It Depends on a few Factors
- 3 Reasons for Blood Pressure Checks During Dental Visits
- June Is National Safety Month: Be Prepared for Dental Emergencies
- Bone Grafting Might be Necessary Before You Obtain an Implant
- Saving a Diseased Primary Tooth Could Mean Better Oral Health Later in Life
- 4 Problem Areas That Could Affect Your Child's Teeth
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- Simplify Your Toothpaste Purchase by Looking for These Ingredients
- Provisional Restorations let you Try out Your New Smile First
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Provide a Viable Alternative to Dental Amalgam
- Root Canal Awareness Week: A Time to Learn How Teeth Are Saved
- Bone Loss at the Roots can Put Your Tooth in Danger of Loss
- See How Well You're Removing Daily Plaque with a Plaque Disclosing Agent
- April (5)
- Keep Your Smile Beautiful...in April and Beyond
- OTC Pain Relievers Usually Enough to Relieve Post-Procedure Mouth Discomfort
- Don't Let Sports or Energy Drinks Rob you of Your Teeth's Enamel
- Learn How To Protect Your Teeth During Stress Awareness Month
- Keep on Course during the 3 Phases of a Smile Makeover
- 2017
- November (5)
- Not Your Granddad's Dental Care: the New Approach to Tooth Decay Treatment
- Consider Saving a Tooth Before you Decide to Replace it
- Lasers Could One Day be Commonplace for Treating Gum Disease
- Sometimes It's Good to Be a Quitter: Smoking and Oral Health
- Change Your Smile for the Better with Porcelain Veneers
- July (5)
- The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Your Dentist may have the Solution for Your Sleep Apnea
- Porcelain Veneers: A Less Invasive Way to Transform Your Smile
- 3 Common Sources of Fluoride You Might Not Know About
- March (5)
- Factors Besides Oral Hygiene that Influence Your Risk for Tooth Decay
- That Painful, Irritating Feeling Could be Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Encourage Your Child to Stop Thumb Sucking Around Age 3
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- Local Anesthesia is a Key Part of Pain-Free Dental Work
- 2016
- October (5)
- Keeping Gum Disease at Bay Could Help Your Overall Health
- Stop Annoying Canker Sores with These Effective Treatments
- Reduce Sugar Consumption - for a Healthier Mouth and Body
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- Treating "Burning Mouth" Depends on What's Triggering it
- March (5)
- Implant-based Overdentures may be a Better Long-Term Fit Option
- The Type of Mouthrinse you use Could be Doing More Than Freshen Breath
- Find out What Kind of Tooth Staining you Have Before Seeking a Solution
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- Erosion and Other Problems may be Signs of Bulimia
- 2015
- November (5)
- Bitewing X-Rays Provide Early Detection of Tooth Decay in Back Teeth
- Crown Differences Could Ultimately Affect Your Cost
- Regenerating Lost Bone Can Make Dental Implants a Reality
- Simple or Surgical? Choosing the Right Kind of Tooth Extraction
- Changing Antibiotic Use Today will Help Ensure Their Effectiveness Tomorrow
- 2014
- August (5)
- Occasional Tongue Redness may be Irritating but not a Serious Health Issue
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Major Benefits for Tooth Replacement With Dental Implants
- Minimizing X-Ray Exposure Risks in Children to Maximize Benefits
- Frequently Asked Questions about Gummy Smiles
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- Countdown To A Perfect Wedding Day Smile
- Teeth Whitening: What You Need To Know
- Matching Game: Which Smile Design Technique Is Right for You?
- Are You at High Risk for Tooth Decay?
- 2011
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