What Is TMJ or TMJ Disorder?
You may have heard TMJ used to describe a person’s jaw popping and locking while chewing or talking. This is incorrect, though it’s close to the truth—TMJ is an abbreviation of the temporomandibular joints where those issues originate. You have one TMJ beneath the skin and muscle in front of each of your ears. These are essentially hinges that enable your mouth to open and close, which make them vital to eating, speaking, and smiling. When your TMJ are the source of discomfort, those activities can become difficult. TMJ disorders have many causes, including teeth grinding, teeth misalignment, arthritis, and extreme stress. No matter the reason, the team here in our Salem, MA office can help you overcome your jaw pain and other TMJ-related issues using custom-fitted mouthguards, which comfortably restrict the improper movement of your jaws.
