Have you been experiencing ear discomfort and were surprised to learn that you don’t have an ear infection? When we experience ear discomfort, it is not uncommon to schedule a doctor’s appointment to rule out any form of infection. Many patients are surprised to learn that a flare-up of TMD can lead to ear pain and other ear-related issues. Curious to learn if your symptom is related to TMD? Continue reading to learn more.
Our team at Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW is passionate about providing the care our patients need to eliminate discomfort. Our goal is for our patients to live their best lives and not worry about a flare-up or fear of discomfort creeping in when least expected. One of the best ways to ensure this is to follow the treatment plan set forth in our office. We know that it can be tempting to ease up on treatments when the discomfort is gone and you are living your best life. However, TMD is unfortunately a condition that can return easily and we would hate for you to experience lasting effects that can easily be avoided.
We hope that you had a magical and wonderful summer doing all the activities you love with all your favorite people. September signifies a fresh start for many, and new beginnings can bring on certain stressors and anxieties that can cause TMD symptoms to flare up. We want to share some helpful tips to incorporate into your routine this fall to hopefully keep any symptoms on the sidelines:
Are you one of the many who suffer from TMD? If so, you know the importance of staying relaxed as a way to avoid aggravating your jaw or initiating a flare-up of your condition. We know that last year was a stressful time for many and in turn many of our new patients were diagnosed with TMD for the first time. We want to share some simple relaxation methods that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Having not only a relaxed jaw but a relaxed body as well will help you better manage your symptoms.
Are you concerned about experiencing a TMD flare-up during the summer months? The summer is a time where many people adopt the motto “anything goes” and live every day to the fullest. People are enjoying longer days, cookouts with friends, day trips, time off from work, and vacations. For patients who experience TMD, it can be tempting to put your restrictions aside and enjoy all the summer has to offer. We would not recommend this; however, we know that flare-ups can happen at any time. We wanted to share some tips to help you survive the summer if you should experience a TMD flare-up. Read on to learn these tips.
Do you think that you have bad habits that are affecting your TMD treatment? Everyone has good and bad habits. Good habits are beneficial and enhance your life, like making your bed daily, never having dirty dishes in the sink, or exercising every day. Bad habits are not beneficial to your life and have the potential to cause you harm. There are a number of bad habits that can affect your TMD. It can be hard to break bad habits, especially if they are things that you have been doing for many years, but to help your overall health it is in your best interest to make some changes, even though it may be difficult.
Do you visit our office due to complications related to TMD? If so, you know better than most that when you are experiencing a flare-up of symptoms, eating can sometimes be a bit of a pain in the neck, literally speaking for some of our patients. With the warmer weather arriving, vacations being planned, and family events taking place, it can be tempting to disregard food recommendations. We want to share some of the suggested foods and some foods that are best left to the side. Read on to learn more.
Over the past year, we have had to change the way we go about our day to day lives. Running a quick errand now has additional tasks that involve using hand sanitizer and wearing a mask. A few years ago, many of us would never have believed that we would not only have to wear a mask wherever we went, but that many of us would have a favorite mask or collection of masks. At this point in our pandemic journey, we have all heard about the effects of wearing masks and have heard stories of those who are experiencing “maskne”, or facial acne caused by wearing a mask. Did you know that those who are affected by TMD are also experiencing an increase in discomfort in their jaw? In fact, it may have happened to you and you might not have realized the cause of your discomfort.
Technology plays such an important role in our daily lives. If you add up all the technology that you used today, the number would probably surprise you. We use technology in our office to assist with our diagnosis and treatment of TMD being that it is a complex disorder with many potential causes.
Every time January rolls around, we know to expect the neverending commercials for the local gyms and for all of the stores to put their exercise equipment and clothing on sale. A large percentage of New Year’s resolutions are related to fitness and weight loss each year.