Posts Categorized: TMJ Disorder

What Causes Short Teeth | How Are They Addressed?

short teeth

Upper front teeth normally are 20% longer than they are wide. If this length to width ratio is closer to 1:1, the teeth will appear short or boxy and can make the smile appear unbalanced and not symmetrical. The appearance of short teeth is caused mainly by heavy wear, how the gum lays over the… Read more »

Teeth clenching | Causes, Side effects, Treatments

Clench your teeth

Do you clench your teeth for no apparent reason? Many people perform this action subconsciously. Some may do it during stressful situations, while others may only do it during their sleep. Teeth clenching can have detrimental effects on your teeth. Your overall health can also be severely impacted. Breaking the habit while awake is not nearly… Read more »

Relief for Your Jaw Pain

Relief for Jaw Pain

Are you seeking relief for jaw pain? Have you been waking up with headaches, and feeling unrested? Maybe you have noticed a popping sound when you open your mouth wide, or a ringing in your ears. Do your jaws hurt when you open your mouth or yawn? Are your teeth suddenly extra sensitive to cold… Read more »

Foods to Avoid with TMJ – or make it worse

Foods to Avoid with TMJ

Many people experience discomfort with their jaw joints or TMJ pain when they open their mouth wide? This article lists foods to avoid if you have jaw joint pains. This disorder is a serious condition that affects the joints in your jaw. This causes patients great discomfort and pain, which is why managing it is incredibly… Read more »

Jaw Pain Causes | Pain when chewing

chronic jaw pain

Chronic jaw pain or pain when chewing are serious chronic problems for millions of patients. There are many causes that are not related to tooth problems. Unlike toothaches, the cause of facial pain isn’t always easy to diagnose. A thorough examination will reveal the exact cause of your condition.  It is often caused by issues… Read more »

TMJ Dysfunction

TMJ Dysfunction

Problems with your bite can cause great discomfort. Allowing those issues to linger and not addressing them in a timely fashion, can lead to additional disruptions to your health. Millions suffer from TMJ Dysfunction (temporomandibular disorder). So, for the help you need with your TMJ issues, Dr. James Fondriest of Lake Forest Dental Arts in… Read more »

Headache won’t go away with medicine

Headache that won t go away with medicine

At the first sign of a headache, you probably reach for your preferred over the counter pain reliever or try a home remedy. What should you do if you have the headache that won’t go away with medicine? If these facial pains become chronic, you may struggle to determine why. The answer may be a… Read more »

Posture and TMJ Disorder | Help relieve your symptoms

Posture and TMJ Disorder

If your mother drove you crazy with constant demands to “sit up straight”…you should thank her. Whether Mom knew the full effect of posture or not, the truth is, bad posture can be bad for your physical and mental health. Turns out, having a straight spine and correct alignment body can even help relieve symptoms… Read more »

Migraines or TMJ | Muscle pain often diagnosed as migraines

Migraines or TMJ

Have you wondered if your headaches are caused by migraines or TMJ? If you suffer frequent headaches, you are not alone. The World Health Organization estimates that about 50% of adults (18-65) worldwide suffer from headache disorders. Of those who reported having headaches, about 30% had migraines.1 If you frequently experience the debilitating pain and… Read more »

TMJ and tooth sensitivity | TMJ Disorder Can Make Your Teeth Sensitive

TMJ and tooth sensitivity

Is there a connection between TMJ and tooth sensitivity? Though TMJ or TM dysfunction centers on your jaw’s joints, one of the many symptoms it can generate is the unconscious habit of grinding your teeth. When left untreated, TMJ disorder and resulting teeth-grinding can cause your teeth to hurt as well as the components of… Read more »

Fully Recovering From TMJ Troubles

Woman suffering from bruxism

Do you frequently find yourself struggling with discomfort along your jaw, or even pain when chewing? If so, have you considered that it could be related to temporamandibular joint dysfunction, or as it is more commonly called, TMJ? Jaw problems can lead to recurring pains that impact your daily life, as well as limitations to your dental… Read more »

Bruxism Treatment | Your management options

Woman suffering from bruxism

Do you wake up with jaw or facial pain or suffer from frequent headaches? Does your jaw pop or click when you open your mouth? Has nighttime grinding worn your enamel down or caused damage? If you said yes to any of these, you and your oral health might benefit from bruxism treatment. While not… Read more »

Address your grinding habit

Teeth grinding habit

Experiencing frequent headaches can be frustrating, inconvenient, and – of course – uncomfortable. One reason some patients will experience regular discomfort is because of TMJ disorder. When you have issues with your jaw joints, the discomfort can reach your neck, your face, and your head. If you grind your teeth as a result of TMJ… Read more »

Get Relief from TMJ Disorder

Relief from TMJ

Are you looking for relief from your TMJs? Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull, and they are the most used joints in your entire body. To operate properly with minimal impact on your teeth and jaw, your smile should be evenly balanced. This allows your… Read more »

Are You Suffering from TMJ?

Suffering from TMJ Pain?

50% of the american population is suffering from some manifestation of TMJ. Do you wake up in the morning with discomfort in your jaw? Do you suffer from frequent headaches? What about ear popping? Has chewing become difficult, because of tightness as you open your mouth? Did you know these are all common warning signs… Read more »

TMJ symptoms

Have you heard of TMJ? TMJ stands for your temporomandibular joint. Your temporomandibular joint is the sliding hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. If this joint becomes sore, pops or clicks when opening and closing, becomes stiff, or is limited in movement you may have a TMD. A TMD is a disorder of… Read more »

Does Malocclusion Cause Headaches?

TMJ and malocclusion

Do you get frequent headaches? Headaches are a common malady. One in every eight Americans suffer recurring headaches. According to research, 80 percent of those headaches are caused by muscular tension. But did you know that your tension headache may be coming from your teeth and jaw?  Today, we discuss how your teeth can be… Read more »

Popping Jaws – Do your jaw joints click or pop?

popping jaws

If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from jaw joint problems, then clicking or popping jaw joints may be a daily occurrence. For many people, the sensation can be uncomfortable, and perhaps a little disturbing. For others, it may be a barely noticeable annoyance that doesn’t seem to warrant any serious… Read more »

Clenching risks | Affects your muscles, joints, teeth

Clenching risks

What are the risks of constant clenching? Your teeth resist stress every day by biting and chewing your food. For some people, that pressure is multiplied by constant clenching and grinding. The habit of clenching your teeth may not produce any symptoms. Or it in combination with bruxism may wear down your teeth enough to… Read more »

Dental Reactions to Overwhelming Stress

You might recognize a headache, tense back muscles, and an upset stomach as telltale symptoms of stress and anxiety, but can you recognize how the condition affects your dental health? Stress is considered one common cause of tooth grinding. One of the most common indications of prolonged tension is bruxism, or habitual teeth-grinding, which can… Read more »

Tooth gnashing | How it affects your dental health

tooth gnashing

Even when patients diligently brush and floss their teeth, certain habits like tooth gnashing can cause significant dental problems. For example, habitually gnashing teeth can wear down a tooth’s natural defenses, leading to a host of dental problems that can destroy your smile. Clinically known as bruxism, habitual teeth grinding is more common than many… Read more »

Do You Suffer from TMJ Disorder?

TMJ Earaches

Did you know that TMD disorder, or TMJ, affects over ten million people in the United States alone? Jaw strain that results in TMJ disorder can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms. Without treatment, TMJ disorder may make eating and even yawning difficult. Fortunately,  Dr. James Fondriest offers the experience and knowledge necessary to… Read more »

What is bruxism and what damage does it cause?

what is bruxism

Many people clench and grind their teeth occasionally, which causes little harm. However, frequent teeth grinding, medically called bruxism, can damage teeth and lead to other health complications. Many people suffer from bruxism without even realizing it. Stress, anxiety, an abnormal bite, and misaligned teeth are some reasons people grind and clench their teeth. Because they… Read more »

Popping Jaw Exercises

A popping jaw is typically an indication of temporomandibular joint disorder (or TMD). This jaw dysfunction is oftentimes characterized by its unique symptoms, which include a popping or clicking jaw alongside back, neck, and even shoulder pain. However, as uncomfortable as this disorder is, a few at-home exercises can help improve symptoms and alleviate the… Read more »

Understand TMD

Dysfunctional temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause pain in so many different areas that you and your doctor could easily misdiagnose the problem. Radiant pain from a TMJ disorder (TMD) usually remains localized around the jaw, ear, neck, and shoulders. Sometimes, you can feel symptoms of TMD in your back or legs. BecauseTMD sends unpleasant sensations to… Read more »

A TMD Facial Pain Quiz

When your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) suffers an injury or undergoes stress from clenching jaws or grinding teeth (bruxism), you could experience various aches and pains. Nerves connected to the hinges of your jaw could cause discomfort from the jaw to your back that your dentist may be able to treat. Do you know what TMJ disorder… Read more »

TMJ Earaches: The Solution for Your Ear Pain

TMJ Earaches

Do you experience frequent TMJ earaches or a constant ringing in your ears that affects your hearing? Does the pain spread to your face, jaw, or neck or cause frequent headaches? Have over-the-counter pain remedies failed to relieve your pain? While ear infections can cause ear pain, chronic ear pain might be a sign of… Read more »

Neck pain and tooth grinding – Easing Neck Pain

neck pain

  Many people in America suffer from neck pain and tooth grinding. Over-the-counter pain relievers seem to do little, and the cause of their aches remains a mystery. Constant pains in the neck, head, or face, could be a sign of more serious disorder called TMD or TMJ. Dr. James Fondriest, explains TMJ disorder and… Read more »

TMJ Dysfunction Diagnosis | Symptoms

TMJ refers to the tempromandibular joints that lay in either side of your face, where the jaw connects to the skull. Nestled within the joint is a cartilage disc that allows for full articulation of the jaw. Healthy TMJ function lets you to open and close your jaw with a smooth gliding motion. Any disruption… Read more »

TMJ joint health

In October, the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative (USBJI) celebrates Bone and Joint Health National Awareness Week. The USBJI explains that in the U.S. population over 18 years of age, nearly half experience musculoskeletal, or bone and joint, conditions. Examples include back pain, arthritis, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis, and childhood bone and joint disorders. People are… Read more »

TMJ therapy

Many people think TMJ is a condition. In fact, TMJ is simply your temporomandibular joints. If you press your fingers gently to either side of your jaw, just in front of each ear, and then open your mouth, you’ll feel your TMJ. The tempormandibular joints is among the most frequently used in the body, helping… Read more »

Three Problems Associated with TMJ Disorder

  Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a painful condition with symptoms that include severe headaches, sensitive teeth, ear pain, muscle soreness, and difficulty opening and closing the jaw comfortably. The TMJs hold your bottom jaw to your top jaw. When problems develop in these joints, they can cause TMJ disorder. Various causes of the disorder… Read more »

Causes of Bruxism | Teeth Grinding

You may not realize it as you occasionally grind your teeth together, but the habit of doing so could be a potentially serious dental issue. Most people clench their jaws and grit their teeth when under extreme pressure or physical strain, or when experiencing a strong negative emotion, like anger. However, many people chronically grind… Read more »

Nail Biting is bad for your health

nail biting

More Than Just a Nervous Habit Almost everyone has a nervous habit. Some people continually adjust their clothing, some women twirl their hair, and others bite their nails. While some nervous habits are harmless, some habits, like the latter can be detrimental to your health. Nail Biting Spreads Bacteria If you remember your mother telling… Read more »

Stress Can Affect Your Oral Health

Did you know that stress can affect your oral health? April is designated as an awareness month for many different health conditions, such as Autism Awareness, STD Awareness, and Parkinson’s Awareness, to name a few. April also creates awareness for a common American condition: stress. Today is National Stress Awareness day. Over half of Americans… Read more »

Jaw pain while yawning or chewing

Jaw pain while yawning or chewing

Have you noticed ongoing jaw pain while yawning? About 15% of Americans suffer from severe facial pain. Over half of patients exhibit symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ. TMJ dysfunction disrupts the natural and harmonious movement of the facial bones, muscles, and ligaments.  What is TMJ dysfunction or disorder? TMJ stands for… Read more »

Chronic TMJ Headaches and Non-Restful Sleep

Chronic TMJ Headaches and non-restful sleep

Do you grind your teeth at night or find yourself clenching? If you do it chronically, it can cause earaches, chronic TMJ headaches, tingling fingers, and even migraines. Aggressive grinding of teeth is very common and can cause the muscles of the jaw to build up lactic acid and become sore. the temporal muscles are… Read more »