When you get a new medical diagnosis, chances are you’re going to have a lot of questions that go along with it. A temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction) diagnosis is no exception. From what to eat to how to ease some of the pain that goes along with this disorder, there can be a lot to learn – and a lot to cover. Here are a few common questions and answers about temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Are these symptoms normal? Because of the nature of TMJ dysfunction pain, one of the most common questions people have is if the pain they are experiencing is a normal side effect of the condition. Because of its location, the temporomandibular joint affects many systems of the body, including the head, neck and back. If you are experiencing pain and stiffness in any of these areas, it could be due to your TMJ dysfunction. Another symptom that sometimes surprises people is tinnitus (ringing in the ears), which can also be caused by TMJ dysfunction due to the TMJ joint’s close proximity to the ears. What do I do if my jaw locks? When many people think of TMJ dysfunction, they think of a stiff or locked jaw. This can certainly happen with TMJ dysfunction, though it does not happen in every case. If it does happen to you, the first thing you should do is apply warm compresses to the jaw to soften the muscles and joints. Do not force the jaw open, as this can make the pain worse. If you can, call (or have someone else call) Dr. George and schedule an appointment. Is there a cure for TMJ dysfunction? While there is no cure for TMJ dysfunction, there are several treatment options. The best and least invasive is neuromuscular orthodontics, which reposition the lower portion of the jaw so it aligns better with the temporomandibular joint. This treatment is an investment in time that will pay off in a pain-free life. How can I prevent my TMJ dysfunction from flaring up? Sometimes we have no control over whether our TMJ dysfunction symptoms act up, but there are things we can do to help prevent or lessen their severity. For example, limiting chewy or crunchy foods and not clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth can all help remove undue pressure on the jaw. If you find yourself clenching or grinding, contact Dr. George about a custom bite guard that may absorb some of the shock from your jaw. A recent study even found that gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, may contribute to TMJ dysfunction, so if you find yourself experiencing frequent heartburn or acid reflux, consider seeing a gastroenterologist and treating this condition, as it could be influencing your TMJ dysfunction, too. For answers to any of your TMJ dysfunction questions, please call Dr. George at 724-220-2347.

There are many reasons we experience pain throughout the body. Some, like injuries, are worth worrying about; others, like the occasional headache, not so much. But when it comes to your mouth, even a little pain can be a big concern. Sometimes it’s hard to tell why you’re feeling what you’re feeling, especially when it's inside your mouth. If you’re experiencing tooth or jaw pain, it could be for many reasons, none of them clear to the naked eye. If you have mouth pain but can’t seem to figure out exactly what hurts or why, here’s what you should know. Cavities Cavities cause pain that originates from one tooth (unless you have more than one cavity). Sometimes you can see cavities on the teeth, but other times it's not easy or possible to do so without tools or a trained eye. If you are experiencing isolated pain that includes aching, throbbing, sensitivity to hot or cold, swollen or tender gums around the affected tooth, and even a foul odor coming from the tooth, see Dr. George right away. Gum Disease Gum disease, or periodontitis, will often display itself as swelling, tenderness and pain in the gums. Your gums may be prone to bleeding when you brush or floss, and you may have bad breath. Early-stage gum disease or gingivitis may have no pain at all, but gums may still be red and swollen and bleed easily during routine oral health care. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMJ dysfunction, occurs when the temporomandibular joint of the jaw becomes misaligned from the rest of the jaw. This can result in jaw pain, jaw tightness, the inability to open and close the mouth, headaches, neck pain, back aches, GERD, and tinnitus. With such a wide variety of symptoms, it can be hard to tell if you really have TMJ dysfunction or not, but the good news is that Dr. George can! If you are experiencing any symptoms mentioned above, whether they be in your teeth, gums, jaw or elsewhere in the body that may be related to the mouth, such as the head and neck, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-220-2347.

When you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction, the pain in your jaw and upper body is bad enough. From your jaw to your back, the pain from TMJ dysfunction often radiates throughout, even to places that don’t seem like they’d be affected by your temporomandibular joints. One such place was recently revealed in a new study conducted by the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta and the Fourth Military Medical University in Xiang, China. In the study, the research teams discovered that people with TMJ dysfunction are at a higher risk of developing gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and those with GERD are at a higher risk of developing TMJ dysfunction! Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition of the lower esophageal sphincter that causes acid indigestion and heartburn, but if you look at a diagram of the human body, isn’t really located near the temporomandibular joint. So how could these two conditions be related or influencing each other? Researchers don’t really know. There are theories, though. One theory is that the stress and pain of having TMJ dysfunction is causing the acid indigestion and heartburn associated with GERD. Another theory is that the GERD pain is causing the temporomandibular joint dysfunction by causing the affected person to clench their jaw in pain. While both theories have merit, they’re still just theories, and as such don’t do much to help patients. But there is good news. There are mutually beneficial ways to treat both of these potentially co-morbid conditions. First, if you think you may have GERD, speak to a gastroenterologist about treating this condition either with prescription or over-the-counter medication. There may also be dietary changes you can make to lessen your GERD symptoms such as avoiding citrus, sodas, alcohol, greasy or fried foods, and spicy foods. If you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction, there are also steps you can take to lessen symptoms, such as physical therapy, warm compresses, massage and neuromuscular orthodontics. Neuromuscular orthodontics can help reposition the jaw so that the temporomandibular joint is better aligned, reducing pain and hopefully GERD symptoms, too. To learn more about temporomandibular joint dysfunction and neuromuscular orthodontics, please contact Dr. George at 724-220-2347.

The jaw is an important part of the body. It allows us to open and close our mouths to chew, speak and even breathe. Naturally, when the jaw is injured, it takes a toll on our quality of life, so avoiding or eliminating injury to the jaw is very important. Sometimes we have no control over the shape our jaw is in, like when conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction are present. But that doesn’t mean we are powerless to stop the pain and prevent future damage. Whether you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction or you just want to keep your jaw in great shape, here are some things you can do to minimize pain, reduce injury and improve flexibility in the jaw. Don’t Use Your Jaw for Support Bored? Tired? It's easy to prop your head up by resting your chin in your hands when you’re feeling lethargic, but try to avoid this behavior, as it pushes the jaw up and can cause pain or worsen misalignment. The same goes for other unnatural movements of the jaw, so use your hand to hold your phone (don’t rest it between your chin and shoulder) and if you happen to play an instrument like the violin, take a break if you are experiencing temporomandibular joint pain while you play. Do Jaw Stretches Yes, you can stretch your jaw, and, yes, it can help keep muscles relaxed. There are several jaw exercises you can do with TMJ dysfunction. If you are interested in learning how to do these exercises, please speak to Dr. George for proper instruction. Don’t start a jaw exercise regimen on your own. Watch What You Eat Very crunchy or very chewy foods will sometimes worsen TMJ dysfunction pain, but eating these foods should be fine if your jaw is healthy. The important part here is to know your own body. If you are experiencing TMJ dysfunction pain, skip the gum and the hard pretzels and stick to softer, easier-to-chew foods that won’t work your jaw so much. Get Evaluated If your jaw is bothering you, it's time to be seen by Dr. George. It could be nothing, or it could be something more serious like temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Thankfully there are treatment options that can help you live life pain free. To schedule an appointment, please call 724-220-2347.

A recent study has linked the condition eustachian tube dysfunction with another painful condition, temporomandibular joint disorder. The study found that among 21 respondents who filled out the ETDQ-7 (eustachian tube dysfunction questionnaire), temporomandibular joint disorder was "highly prevalent" in the patients with eustachian tube dysfunction. The eustachian tube is a small tube that connects the ear to the throat. The eustacian tubes open and close to relieve pressure on your inner ear when you chew, yawn or sneeze, preventing the ears from filling with fluid or air. Unfortunately, sometimes things go wrong in your eustachian tubes and they don’t do their job correctly, or even at all. This is known as eustachian tube dysfunction, or ETD. Eustachian tube dysfunction frequently occurs during illness, when the tubes become swollen and fill with fluid or mucus. Patients experiencing ETD may feel as though their ears are blocked, and sound may seem distant or muffled. Eustachian tube dysfunction is said to be more prevalent in smokers, persons who are obese, and young children, but in the newest study, the disorder has been linked to temporomandibular joint disorder, too. Dr. Alexandra George practices neuromuscular orthodontics in her Wexford, Pennsylvania, dental clinic. She says the link between ETD and temporomandibular joint disorder is not surprising at all. "Because the temporomandibular joint is so close to the ears, it isn’t surprising that it could irritate the eustachian tubes," she says. According to George, ETD isn’t the only condition of the ears that temporomandibular joint disorder patients frequently suffer from, either. "Many patients with temporomandibular joint disorder also suffer from a condition called tinnitus, which also occurs in the inner ear," George says. Tinnitus is characterized by a constant ringing in the ears that can last for months on end. It is believed to be caused by temporomandibular joint disorder because of the temporomandibular joint’s proximity to the ear canal. "Tinnitus occurs when the pressure from the temporomandibular joint puts pressure on the ear nerves and causes them to fall out of alignment. Then you get the ringing, buzzing or hissing noises in your ears," George says. George says while it is not yet known how to correct the connection between the eustachian tubes and temporomandibular joint disorder, it could be a useful diagnostic tool for either condition. "If a patient is suffering from blocked ears, it could start a conversation about their jaw and possibly lead to a treatment that takes care of both problems," she says. "The same can be said for patients complaining of temporomandibular joint pain. Both can be useful for screening purposes." If you find your ears are constantly blocked without the presence of illness, obesity or smoking, speak to your doctor or dentist to rule out ETD or temporomandibular joint disorder, George says.

Migraine headaches can really throw you for a loop. Unlike regular headaches, migraines are a neurological phenomenon and can often be difficult to treat with over-the-counter or traditional prescription painkillers. As a result, many migraine-specific prescription medications have debuted on the market, some more effective than others, depending on the patient. Effective treatments for migraine headaches depend on the individual migraine sufferer, but so too do migraine triggers. For some it's alcohol, for others it can be anything from bright lights to stress or even other medications. But there is one trigger that you may not have known about, and it’s making headlines around the world. Do you get migraine headaches? Do you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction? Well, according to a new study, the two may be closely related. The study was conducted at the University of Sao Paolo in Brazil and found that though temporomandibular joint dysfunction (or TMJ dysfunction for short) itself cannot trigger a migraine, having a migraine with TMJ dysfunction could make your migraine symptoms much worse. So, what’s the cause behind this new revelation? Well, researchers aren’t 100 percent sure, but there are some theories. First, the pain of having a migraine could be a trigger for TMJ dysfunction. If you are experiencing pain anywhere in the body, but especially in the head, you could be more likely to grind your teeth or clench your jaw, which would exacerbate migraine pain. Another theory? Cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that the body releases during times of high stress. Stress is also a well-known trigger of both migraine headaches and temporomandibular joint dysfunction, again due to jaw clenching and teeth grinding. When cortisol is released in the body, it acts as an inflammatory, causing the joints to swell. This includes the temporomandibular joint, which, if it's already affected by temporomandibular joint dysfunction, could feel a whole lot worse. The good news is you don’t have to live with temporomandibular joint dysfunction pain. Treatment options such as neuromuscular orthodontics can work to alleviate that pain and align your jaw for optimal relief. If you suffer from TMJ dysfunction, please contact Dr. George’s office for an evaluation by calling 724-220-2347.

If you are one of the 10 million-plus Americans with temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction), you probably already know that when it comes to TMJ dysfunction pain, it can be a full-time job finding relief. Over-the-counter painkillers may work temporarily, and for some not at all, and while neuromuscular orthodontics are a safe and effective method for treating TMJ dysfunction, some interim pain during treatment is completely normal. If you are looking for a more natural way to treat your TMJ dysfunction pain during your neuromuscular orthodontic treatment, here are some safe, natural options that some TMJ dysfunction sufferers have found effective. Compresses A warm compress will relax the muscles of the jaw surrounding the temporomandibular joint. Experts recommend using a warm compress on the jaw for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, twice a day, for TMJ dysfunction pain relief. If warm compresses aren’t doing the trick, you can also try cold compresses. Cold compresses will numb the muscles, alleviating some of the pain that way. Vitamins There are several vitamins that may be able to help alleviate some of the side effects of your TMJ dysfunction. The first is magnesium. Magnesium can be taken as a supplement, but it can also be found naturally in a long list of foods, including leafy greens such as spinach and chard, as well as black beans, avocados, pumpkin seeds and more. Magnesium is said to help alleviate muscle tension, which can help relax the jaw in TMJ dysfunction patients. Another vitamin you can try is an Omega-3 supplement. Naturally found in some nuts and fish, Omega-3s are said to help reduce inflammation, including the inflammation of the joints, something that could alleviate some of your TMJ dysfunction pain. Massage Massaging your jaw can help reduce some of the muscle tension caused by your TMJ dysfunction, but if you would like to attempt this treatment please speak to Dr. George first to make sure you are both a good candidate and massaging the area properly. Experts recommend that those using massage techniques do so by rubbing the jaw and temples in a circular motion as you open and close your mouth very slowly. This can be done for 30 seconds at a time and repeated every four to six hours throughout the day. If you are interested in learning more about temporary relief of your TMJ dysfunction symptoms or you are ready for a more permanent solution with neuromuscular orthodontics, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-220-2347.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can be a real pain in the jaw, head and even neck. But add in radiating pain and it can often become too much to bear. This is precisely why many people seek outside relief, from painkillers to physical therapy and neuromuscular orthodontics. But what if you could be inadvertently worsening your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain without even realizing it? There are some everyday behaviors many of us do without even realizing they could be harming our bodies. Here are a few surprise triggers for your TMJ dysfunction. Chewing Gum While chewing sugarless gum can actually help neutralize plaque acid and protect the teeth from cavities, it can have a dark side if you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction. That’s because excessive chewing can put strain on the jaw, causing more pain and inflammation. Despite its benefits, if you have TMJ dysfunction, cut back on the chewing gum, even if you aren’t experiencing severe TMJ dysfunction symptoms. Tech Neck What on earth is tech neck? It’s the term coined for the neck and back posturing many people are developing due to constant phone and tablet use. It seems when we frequently look down, we are putting strain on the neck, spine and back as well as the temporomandibular joint! Worse yet, if you are experiencing tech neck (also known as text neck), you could be raising your cortisol levels due to the stress of the pain, and causing more inflammation in the discs and the temporomandibular joint. Bruxism Bruxism, or grinding your teeth, can be a surprising cause of temporomandibular joint pain because many people who have bruxism don’t realize they are doing it. This means they could be worsening their pain unconsciously. Bruxism is especially common during the night while asleep and during high-stress situations, such as when you experience pain (such as tech neck) or when you are doing everyday tasks like working or sitting in traffic. In addition to straining the temporomandibular joint, bruxism can also damage your teeth, causing fractures, chips and uneven wear. Jaw Clenching Somewhat related to bruxism is jaw clenching. Jaw clenching may not make tooth-to-tooth contact, but it still puts undue strain on the temporomandibular joint. If you find yourself clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth, it may be time for a mouth guard. Contact Dr. George’s office for a consultation by calling 724-220-2347.