At Scott and Derry Dental Care, we like to say that our team is changing lives one smile at a time. And the life-changing services provided by Dr. Jameela Jifri and her associates transcend the teeth and gums. During recall appointments at our office in Milton, Ontario, our team assesses the function and condition of the structures and tissues that support and surround the teeth and gums. 

Notably, Dr. Jifri is experienced in identifying potential problems with the temporomandibular (TM) joints. TMJ problems manifest as pain in the jaw, especially when chewing or biting down. Whenever these jaw joints and the interconnected muscles and tissues associated with them are “stressed,” patients may express concern about difficulty or discomfort when opening or closing the mouth. Their jaws may be stiff and “lock,” or otherwise seamless movements may be compromised. 

Due to the relationship between these joints and the rest of the mouth, face, head, and neck, other potential “trouble signs” for TMJ dysfunction or disorders (TMJDs) may include: 

• Chronic tension headaches or migraines
• Radiating facial, ear, neck, shoulder, and upper back pain
• A noisy jaw, or popping and clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth 
• A buzzing or ringing sound in the ears or a sensation of fullness
• Vertigo or lightheadedness

These symptoms can become more frequent and severe without proper and prompt interventions. We encourage you to bring any concerns or suspicions that you may have to Dr. Jifri. She will take a closer look at the inside of your mouth and speak with you at greater length about what you have noticed to isolate the source and underlying root cause of these distressing and persistent symptoms. 

There are numerous potential causes of TMJDs – from something as seemingly simple as frequently chewing on gum and consuming other chewy foods to chronic and potentially destructive bruxism (teeth grinding). Depending on what she finds, Dr. Jifri may recommend lifestyle changes or the design of a custom oral splint or night guard. The splint protects the teeth and dental work from further damage caused by bruxism and also improves TMJD symptoms by cushioning the intense blow from grinding and gnashing behaviours. 

A world of options awaits to provide lasting pain and symptom relief at Scott and Derry Dental Care. We urge you to schedule an exam at our office in Milton, ON, today. Our team can be reached at (855) 438-4999.

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