Is TMJ causing my pain?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. Located just in front of the ear, it is the joint that connects your lower jaw to the rest of your head, allowing the jaw to move freely while biting, chewing, and speaking. Problems related to the TMJ can affect jaw muscles, teeth, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain. Times of stress can cause or aggravate TMJ since most of the discomfort is attributed to the overuse of muscles during clenching or grinding of teeth (bruxism).
TMJ symptoms can manifest in different ways:
- A headache, especially in the temporal (side) region
- Soreness or stiffness of the neck
- An earache without an infection
- Jaw pain or soreness, especially in the morning or late afternoon
- Jaw pain when talking, yawning, or eating
- Jaw becomes stiff or locked when talking, yawning, or eating
- Clicking of the jaw joint
- Teeth are painful or sensitive, with no apparent dental problem
How is it treated?
Most of the time, TMJ cases can be treated with rest, a mild pain-killer, and/or practicing some relaxation techniques. Work diligently to break bad habits of clenching or grinding teeth, and if you experience bruxism at night, we can make you a comfortable mouthguard to prevent the extra wear and tear!
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
