Cheek Biting and TMJ

Cheek biting? Yes, there are many people who habitually bite the insides of their cheek. For some, this sounds strange. For others, they are nodding along wondering how they can stop this habit. Much like biting your nails, cheek biting can be a frequent habit.

People who bite their cheeks tend to bite the inside of their cheek, lip, and tongue. There are multiple reasons why people bite their cheeks, such as nervous habit, some need to constantly chew, and some people cheek bite due to TMJ.

How are cheek biting and TMJ related? Great question!

Many people are cheek biters because of malocclusion or misalignment of teeth. This can be caused by Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/TMD). These people tend to bite their cheeks occasionally due to their bite being slightly off. When someone has malocclusion their bite does not come together properly. Sometimes, they compensate by moving their mouth to the right or left. Typically, this movement is not recognizable to the untrained eye. However, their bite feels better when they can rest their teeth on something which is why they bite their cheeks and lips.

Although cheek biting can simply be a nervous habit it can also be a result or symptom of TMJ. Many people who bite their cheeks are self conscious of this habit because they contort their face to bite their cheeks. If you are a habitual cheek biter we suggest seeing a TMJ specialist to ensure that your cheek biting is not related to TMJ.

Dr. Farnad, the TMJ Doctor of Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, will give you a comprehensive evaluation of your oral health and TMJ. He will examine your cheek biting, to ensure lesions have not developed. Occasionally, lesions can lead to oral cancer due to bacteria entering lesion sites.

If you bite your cheeks out of nervousness try chewing gum, wearing lip gloss or lip balm, and try to recognize when you most frequently bite your cheeks.

The TMJ Doctor, located in Beverly Hills, is a center for TMJ therapy and treatment. If you have questions about our office and Dr. Farnad, the TMJ Doctor, give us a call at (310)276-5300. We look forward to hearing from you! 

www.thetmjdoctor.com

TMJ and Ear Pain

Some people are prone to chronic ear infection and others experience ear pain for an entirely different reason, Temporomandibular Disorder or Disfunction (TMJ or TMD). For many people, persistent ear pain can be attributed to a jaw disorder. Although this may sound counterintuitive, it is actually quite common for many people. If you are suffering from chronic ear pain, it is very important that you see a specialist to properly diagnose the cause of your ear pain. An oral surgeon, dentist, or ENT can determine if you have a bacterial infection or TMJ.

TMJ is most associated with jaw pain. Many people experience limited jaw mobility, clicking and popping sounds, or excruciating pain when speaking or moving the jaw. However, there are many people with TMJ/TMD that experience their symptoms in other ways, such as severe headaches, chronic neck pain, and ear aches.

Dr. Fariborz Farnad is a TMJ specialist with over 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating TMJ. After a thorough examination and in depth review of your health history, Dr. Farnad will give you a personalized treatment plan. Just like everyone has a unique health history and story, their TMJ experience and symptoms are different and individual.

Patients suffering with ear pain should see a specialist to determine what is causing this chronic pain. If your family doctor or internist has ruled out bacterial infection and you are still experiencing ear pain or chronic ear aches, call The TMJ Doctor to schedule a consultation. There are numerous conservative treatments that can help you live a pain free life, putting an end to the progression of TMJ.

For more information about The TMJ Doctor, visit our website at www.thetmjdoctor.com. Our highly trained staff is available to answer your questions and schedule your consultation, call us at (310)276-5300.

Orthodontics and TMJ

Many of our patients either one of both of the following questions:

1. Have my braces or orthodontic treatments created my TMJ/TMD problem?

2. Will braces or orthodontics correct my TMJ/TMD problem?

Unfortunately, for many people braces and orthodontics can cause TMJ/ TMD or general jaw pain. Altering the position of the teeth can directly affect the way that you bite down and utilize the muscles in your jaw.

If you need braces or orthodontic treatment for aesthetic purposes or otherwise, do not be afraid that you will start having TMJ symptoms. It's important that you find an orthodontist that understands TMJ and its relationship to the teeth. If you need assistance selecting a specialist, our office is happy to help you. Dr. Farnad works with multiple orthodontists to ensure that our patients are properly taken care of. The TMJ Doctor understands that each specialist you see for your dental needs must be on the same page regarding your treatment.

As we have mentioned before, splints, orthotics (oral), bite plates, mouth guards, are not always the solution for TMJ, it is vital if you are experiencing TMJ pain in relation to your orthodontic treatment that you alert your orthodontist and seek treatment for your TMJ. Unfortunately, these things happen all the time and the best thing you can do is relax (we don't want the stress to make your TMJ worse) and find a specialist to find a solution for your TMJ pain.

Dr. Farnad has been a TMJ/TMD specialist for over 20 years. He is internationally recognized for his comprehensive treatment and care. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Farnad, The TMJ Doctor, please give us a call at (310)276-5300.

Migraines or TMJ?

It is very common for people who suffer from frequent migraines to have Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD/TMJ). Many times, people seek treatment from neurologists and due to a lack of dental training, the neurologist may not realize that these painful headaches are caused by TMJ. Obviously, dentists typically do not have neurology training so it is very important to understand your symptoms so you can see the correct doctor.

TMJ Symptoms
- Increased pain when chewing
- Increased pain when speaking
- Feel pain around your jaw joints
- Feel like your jaw is "locked"
- Difficulty opening your mouth very wide, or opening at all

Many patients with TMJ have a tendency to clench their jaw, grind their teeth, and cannot relax their jaw at night. Stress can increase pain and we suggest these exercises to decrease pain: http://www.thetmjdoctor.blogspot.com/2013/11/tmj-exercises.html

Although it may sound strange to visit a dentist for your headaches, Dr. Farnad is an oral surgeon who specializes in treating TMJ. His individualized treatment plans and unparalleled treatment has made him a leader in TMJ.

For more information about what TMJ treatment is right for you, call our office for a consultation 

(310)276-5300 or toll free (866)DOC-4TMJ.  

Is There a Link Between TMJ & Sleep Apnea?

The other day a patient asked us if there was a connection between her TMJ and her snoring. This is such an interesting question that we are very excited to address.

There is no direct relationship between sleep apnea and TMJ, but many sleep apnea patients have TMJ symptoms, such as muscle pain, due to emotional discomfort and lack of sleep. Patients with a small lower jaw, known as mandibular hypoplasia, have a greater chance of having TMJ derangement. Therefore, TMJ and sleep apnea are indirectly related.

Furthermore, the appliance that is made for TMJ and sleep apnea, an anterior positioning splint, is almost the same! In both appliances, the lower jaw is being moved forward. This is why a lot of general dentists offer TMJ and sleep apnea treatment to their patients. We believe it is important to see a specialist for TMJ and sleep apnea because not every patient should use, or will, benefit from a splint. Take a look at our previous post about splint therapy for TMJ, here.

For more information about what TMJ treatment is right for you, call our office for a consultation 

(310)276-5300 or toll free (866)DOC-4TMJ. 

Dr. Fariborz Farnad, DMD

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com

Tonsillectomy and Jaw Pain

If you have recently had your tonsils removed and are experiencing jaw pain, your pain is not uncommon or unusual. During your procedure, the intubation can cause jaw joint disorders and jaw pain. In order to do a tonsillectomy the surgeon must open your mouth quickly and make sure the mouth is open wide to insert the respiration tube. The length of the surgery is directly related to how long your mouth remains open, which can cause pain to the jaw joint. If you are experiencing a lot of pain after your tonsillectomy you should consult your physician. If the pain occurs months after your procedure, you should see a TMJ specialist.

Is Holiday Stress Aggravating Your TMJ?

During the holidays, TMJ patients often feel increased painful TMJ symptoms. Unfortunately, as stress increases so does TMJ pain, such as: jaw pain, poor jaw mobility, headaches, and migraines. Sometimes, these symptoms are due to continuos clenching or grinding. Typically, TMJ patients have a tendency to clench or grind in their sleep. However, stressful situations can also trigger these habits during the day. Although the holidays are beautiful time of year, filled with lots of family time and food, they can also be a very stressful time for everyone, making TMJ pain worse for TMJ sufferers.

The TMJ Doctor, Dr. Farnad, specializes in TMJ treatment in Los Angeles. He is internationally recognized for his individualized treatment for TMJ patients. Dr. Farnad understands that every person suffering from TMJ experiences TMJ symptoms in a different way, which is why it is so important that patients undergo treatment specifically designed to manage their symptoms and more importantly the source of the pain.

If you or someone you know is suffering from TMJ pain, it is very important that they see a TMJ specialist. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to gum disease, broken teeth, and permanent damage to the temporomandibular joint. To learn more about the treatment options specifically designed to treat your individual TMJ symptoms, call The TMJ Doctor, Dr. Farnad.

To schedule a consultation call us at (310)276-5300 or toll free (855)276-5300

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com  

Dr. Fariborz Farnad is a TMJ specialist located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Treating patients throughout Los Angeles, including Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, Orange County, Long Beach, Downey, Irvine, Northridge, Cerritos, Santa Barbara, Encino.