You shouldn’t wake up with headaches every morning. You should be able to eat a meal without feeling pain in your jaw or your face. And you should not feel painful clicking or popping when you open or close your mouth.
Yet, all of these problems can be the result of an untreated TMJ disorder. Our own George A. Hoop, DDS, has treated hundreds of patients with TMJ troubles. You too can be free from the painful consequences of this condition.
Call (239) 594-8817 to make an appointment at one of our offices in Fort Myers or North Naples, FL.
Understand Your Situation
TMJ disorders affect millions of people across the United States, although many people are unaware that they have an issue. In a vast majority of cases, the treatment is pretty simple, thankfully.
Dr. Hoop sees many patients who report frequent headaches, and often they wake up with headaches each morning. If this is happening often, clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep may be the cause of your pain. Those actions put added pressure on the muscles of your face. They put extra stress on your jaw joints, and this can wear down the enamel of your teeth as well.
When you visit us, we let us know if you are having one or more of these symptoms:
- Earaches or headaches
- Lockjaw
- Jaw pain, particularly in the morning
- Pain while eating or after a meal
- Clicking or popping of the jaw when opening or closing your mouth
- Pain in your face, neck, or face
We can check for signs of grinding. If we find anything, we’ll be sure to let you know and discuss ways to stop it from getting worse.
Take Action To Stop The Pain
For people who grind their teeth while they are sleeping, the solution can be surprisingly easy. Dr. Hoop can make a special oral appliance that you wear while you sleep.
This appliance is similar to an athletic mouthguard in some ways. These appliances are custom-made to fit your teeth. This makes them more comfortable to wear. While in your mouth, they act as a barrier between your upper and lower teeth. This prevents you from clenching or grinding your teeth into each other.
The appliance also keeps your jaws in a more relaxed position. This can alleviate the stress caused by clenching and grinding. Wearing it regularly can reduce morning jaw pain, headaches, and earaches. That, in turn, can mean less trouble when you are eating.
Feel Comfortable Again
You don’t have to live with the painful symptoms of a TMJ disorder. You may be able to relieve your suffering without medication and without surgery by visiting Dr. Hoop in Fort Myers or North Naples, FL. To get started, contact us online or call (239) 594-8817 to request an appointment.