Get Relief from Jaw Popping and Jaw Pain

At Craig Glick DDS, we can provide treatment for issues that affect your jaw and your bite as well as your individual teeth. Sometimes patients come to us complaining of an inability to move their jaw freely, excessive jaw popping or pain related to jaw movement. Dr. Glick makes an effort to see these patients quickly and provide a thorough exam to determine if a Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) problem is to blame for their discomfort. The TMJ is the hinge that allows the lower jaw to move up and down and side to side, and when the muscles, bone or tissues in the joint area become damaged, pain can result. If you’re experiencing jaw popping or jaw pain, please contact us to request an appointment with Dr. Glick.

Hallelujah! My Jaw Popping is Gone!

“It might sound strange, but one of my favorite parts of going to the dentist for my regular cleanings is talking to the staff. The hygienists at Craig Glick DDS are really friendly and Dr. Glick really knows his stuff! It’s great to be able to talk to him really informally and just ask whatever I want about my teeth. On my last visit I complained about my jaw popping and sort of getting stuck when I open wide and Dr. Glick immediately recommended I get checked for TMJ. Thanks to Dr. Glick I got a night guard to address my TMJ symptoms and it has been working great.”

Charmaine W.
Encino, CA

Understanding TMJ Disorder Symptoms

The symptoms of TMJ disorder can be quite varied, so it’s wise to discuss your symptoms with a dentist in Encino rather than just trying to ignore them. The most common symptoms include an inability to open your mouth wide, the feeling that your jaw is getting “stuck” as it moves and hearing popping or grating sounds when you eat or speak. These symptoms may also be accompanied by jaw pain, which can range in intensity and duration from brief, mild pains to protracted bouts of severe pain. You may also feel pain or tenderness near the TMJ or in your face, neck, or shoulders. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you can turn to Dr. Glick for help.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

TMJ symptoms like jaw popping and jaw pain occur when the TMJ joint and the surrounding muscles and tissues become damaged. This damage can occur due to injury, arthritis, or stress. Getting into an accident resulting in whiplash or a blow to the head is probably one of the most common causes of TMJ injuries, but grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw or having an improper bite can also lead to TMJ problems. Naturally you’ll know if you’ve been in an accident, but you may not be aware that you’ve been grinding your teeth. In order to find out if tooth grinding in your sleep is causing your TMJ pain, you need to visit Dr. Glick for an exam.

Expert Diagnoses for TMJ Disorders

Dr. Glick can help determine the cause of your jaw popping or jaw pain when you visit Craig Glick DDS for an exam. The first step is typically to have Dr. Glick observe the way your TMJ joint moves when you attempt to open, close or move it side to side. If he detects a problem, we will request panoramic x-rays to get a better view of the joint. In some cases, we may need to use an MRI to examine the tissue in the joint or a CT scan to get a closer look at the bone. Dr. Glick can refer you to a specialist if needed.

Relieving Stress-Related TMJ Jaw Pain with Help from a Encino Dentist

In some cases, stress-related TMJ pain can be relieved with non-invasive treatments from your dentist in Encino. It all depends on the root cause of your pain. If Dr. Glick detects evidence of night grinding or jaw clenching during your exam, he can recommend a night guard or a splint to correct the problem and prevent you from placing harmful stress on your TMJ. Some patients also find stress-relieving medications, like anti-anxiety pills or muscle relaxants, helpful in relieving stress-related TMJ symptoms. Physical therapy, relaxation techniques or massage from a qualified therapist may also provide relief from stress-related jaw pain.