Dealing with jaw pain and discomfort can make your life a lot more difficult. According to Scientific Reports, TMD affects about 10 to 15% of the population. If you want to know more about the differences between TMJ and TMD, continue reading.
What Is TMJ?
TMJ is a simple way to refer to the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. Each individual has two of these joints, and they play an important role in allowing the jaw to perform crucial functions. Without two healthy TMJs, it can be tough to chew, swallow, speak, breathe, and change your facial expression. The biggest difference between TMJ and TMD is that TMJ refers to the joint that TMD affects. Many people mistakenly use the term TMJ in place of TMD, but TMD is the proper term when you’re talking about the disorder.
What Is TMD?
TMJ is the name of the joint that connects your jaw to your skull, but temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the name given to medical conditions that affect the function of this joint. If you have TMD, you may notice pain in the area where your jaw and skull meet. TMD often causes a clicking sound when the jaw is opened and closed, so that’s something to watch for as well. The good news is that TMD can be treated, so it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms and call a doctor if they get worse. Left untreated, TMD can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw.
Get the Help You Need
You don’t want to wake up every day with pain as a result of TMJ disorders, so it’s important to visit a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms of TMD. TMD may be treated by physical therapy, therapeutic injections, intraoral orthotic appliance, or using various other types of therapy. If you’re experiencing pain and other symptoms of TMD, you should talk to a specialist about treatment options for TMJ problems and what you can do to minimize your symptoms.
You have a lot to keep an eye on when it comes to taking care of your body. If you’re experiencing unexpected jaw pain that’s making your daily life difficult, give TMJ Care a call. We offer treatment programs tailored to your needs.