12606 A Lake Ridge Drive

Woodbridge, VA 22192

(703) 491-2131

The Soothing Truth About Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Treatment

The Soothing Truth About Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Treatment

Do you have residual pain in areas near your cheeks with no idea how to stop it? For many people today, persistent pain near the ears, jaw, or surrounding muscles leaves them without full function of their mouth for normal, everyday activities, leaving them hopeless and in constant discomfort.

Often accompanied with a popping sound and weakened jaw capabilities, cases like these typically are caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), which affect the nearby temporomandibular joints (TMJs). Fortunately, the majority of TMDs are minor and resort to fixing themselves after conservative remedies are applied - but even in cases where your TMJ malady persists, full relief can be experienced through the expert dental care of Charles L. Sours, Jr., D.D.S.!

Take a peek at some important information regarding TMDs below:

What Causes TMDs?

When one (or both) of your TMJs falls victim to orthopedic inflammation, fatigued surrounding muscles, pulled tendons and/or ligaments, or disk problems, chronic TMDs can occur.

TMDs can be largely genetic, surprisingly gender-specific (women are considerably more likely to suffer from TMDs), and often old-age related. In more serious cases, the jaw pain stemming from a TMD could actually be part of a more all-encompassing pain problem known as fibromyalgia, which literally stands for "connective tissue muscle pain," a condition that won't just stop at the jaw if left untreated.

Where Can I Find Relief?

If you've been diagnosed with a TMD, available treatment options for your specific needs can be readily found with Dr. Sours right here in Woodbridge, VA. Temporarily changing your diet to incorporate more soft foods is one common method for overcoming such persistent jaw pain disorders, while using ice on the affected area can also work wonders for relieving your residual oral joint and muscle soreness and its accompanying inflammation. More holistic techniques such as gentle remedial stretching exercises can also make TMDs subside, while muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications can begin to soothe your pain as well.

Regardless of the severity of your TMD pain, understand that it is not life-threatening and, with expert dental care, it can be a thing of the past in no time! Give Dr. Sours a call today at (703) 491-2131 for TMJ relief!