Just another iHealthSpot WP03 site

Parents and Guardians: You can now easily schedule your child’s appointments online through the Athena Patient Portal. Please note that online self-scheduling is currently available for pediatric appointments only.

Are you or a family member currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP? If so, you must take a moment to update your information as the State resumes annual Medicaid eligibility reviews. Read this message for more information

.

Eau Claire Cooperative Health Centers

Back to Main Website

EMPLOYEE WEBSITE

  • Donate Today
  • (866) 405-9438
  • Patient Portal
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet our Board
    • Career Opportunities
    • Make a Difference
  • ServicesShiftNav Services Menu
    • SERVICES
    • PROGRAMS
    • Radiology
    • Pediatrics
    • Family Medicine
    • Health Care for the Homeless
    • Internal Medicine
    • OB/GYN
    • Agricultural Worker Health Program
    • Counseling & Psychiatry
    • Dental
    • Substance Use Treatment
    • Podiatry
    • Orthopedics
    • School-Based Services
    • Pharmacy
    • Diabetes Management
    • All of Us Research Program
    • Chronic Disease Management
    • Hepatitis C Services
    • Outreach Program
    • Laboratory Services
    • Parents as Teachers
    • Cooperative Health HIV Program
    • Chronic Care Management
  • For Patients
    • Financial Assistance Available
  • Testimonials
  • Contact & Locations
    • Brookland Cayce Medical Practice
    • Brookland Community Pediatrics
    • Cayce West Columbia Primary Care Center
    • Cooperative Health Pharmacy
    • Eau Claire Behavioral Medicine
    • Eau Claire Family Dentistry at Monticello Road
    • Eau Claire Internal Medicine
    • Eau Claire Podiatry
    • Eau Claire Walk-In
    • Eastover Cooperative Pharmacy
    • Eastover Family Practice
    • Five Points Cooperative Pharmacy
    • Five Points Pediatrics
    • Five Points Walk-In Center
    • Hopkins Pediatrics and Family Practice
    • Lake Monticello Family Practice
    • Little Mountain Pediatric and Family Practice
    • Pediatrics of Batesburg-Leesville
    • Pediatrics of Newberry
    • Pelion Pediatrics Family & Dental Practice
    • Ridgeway Pediatrics, Family & Dental Practice
    • Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center
    • Transitions Homeless Shelter
    • Waverly Family Practice
    • Waverly Women’s Health
    • Waverly Women’s Health & Internal Medicine
    • West Columbia Coop Pharmacy
    • Winnsboro Pediatrics & Family Practice
  • Request an Appointment
  • Patient Portal
  • COVID-19 UPDATES
MENUMENU
  • President & CEO Committee Search Update

TMJ- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

  • Introduction
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment

Introduction

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is a condition that affects the jaw joint.  Your lower jaw attaches to your skull by muscles and the two temporomandibular joints located near your ears.  Your jaw opens, closes, and moves from side to side.  You use jaw movements when you chew and speak.

Emotional stress and physical stress of nearby structures can cause TMJ.  Teeth grinding and teeth clenching can contribute to TMJ.  Your jaw joint may be painful and move out of place.  TMJ treatment includes relaxation techniques, medications, and mouth guards.  Surgery may be used in some cases, but only as a last resort.

Back to top

Symptoms

TMJ can cause headaches, jaw aches, and pain near your ears.  Your pain may become worse when you yawn, open your mouth widely, or chew.  Your jaw muscles may feel tender. 

You may hear a clicking or popping sound when you open and close your mouth.  Your jaws may get stuck or catch in a position when you move them.  You may notice a difference in your bite pattern or the way that your teeth come together when you close your mouth.
Back to top

Diagnosis

Your dentist can evaluate and diagnose TMJ by review your medical history, dental history, and conducting an examination.  Tell your dentist about your symptoms.  Your dentist will evaluate how far you can open your jaw and move it from side to side.  Your dentist will use a stethoscope to listen for sounds when you open your jaw.  X-rays can provide more information about your jaw structure.
Back to top

Treatment

Treatments for TMJ are aimed at symptom relief.  Your dentist may recommend muscle-relaxant, pain relieving, or anti-inflammatory medications.  If you clench or grind your teeth, your dentist can make you a mouthguard to wear at night.  It can be helpful to learn relaxation techniques or receive counseling to reduce stress.  Jaw surgery may be appropriate when all other options have failed.
Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • For Patients
  • Testimonials
  • Contact & Locations
  • Career Opportunities
  • Accessibility Statement
  • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Sitemap
  • Future Leaders Scholarship Initiative
  • Diabetes Education Resources Managing diabetes effectively requires access to accurate information and practical tools. We have created this resource page to empower individuals with diabetes, their families, and caregivers by providing education on managing blood sugar levels, understanding dietary needs, and addressing potential complications. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or seeking to improve your care routine, these resources offer valuable insights to support a healthier lifestyle. Diabetes Education Manual – English  Diabetes Education Manual – Spanish

Copyright © Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center dba Cooperative Health. All Rights Reserved.

This health center is a Health Center Program grantee under 42 USC 254(b), a deemed Public Health Service employer under 42 USC 233(g)-(n), and an FTCA deemed facility.

Employee Intranet

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Cooperative Health is a Federally-Qualified Health Center that provides primary care, preventive care, and support services to patients in Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, & Newberry Counties.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet our Board
    • Career Opportunities
    • Make a Difference
    • Back
  • Services
    • SERVICES
    • Radiology
    • All of Us Research Program
    • Agricultural Worker Health Program
    • Chronic Disease Management
    • Counseling & Psychiatry
    • Dental
    • Diabetes Management
    • Family Medicine
    • PROGRAMS
    • Chronic Care Management
    • Health Care for the Homeless
    • Hepatitis C Services
    • Internal Medicine
    • Laboratory Services
    • OB/GYN
    • Orthopedics
    • Outreach Program
    • Parents as Teachers
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharmacy
    • Podiatry
    • Cooperative Health HIV Program
    • School-Based Services
    • Substance Use Treatment
    • Back
  • For Patients
    • Financial Assistance Available
    • Back
  • Testimonials
  • Contact & Locations
    • Brookland Community Pediatrics
    • Brookland Cayce Medical Practice
    • Cayce West Columbia Primary Care Center
    • Cooperative Health Pharmacy
    • Eastover Cooperative Pharmacy
    • Eastover Family Practice
    • Eau Claire Behavioral Medicine
    • Eau Claire Family Dentistry at Monticello Road
    • Eau Claire Internal Medicine
    • Eau Claire Podiatry
    • Eau Claire Walk-In
    • Five Points Cooperative Pharmacy
    • Five Points Pediatrics
    • Five Points Walk-In Center
    • Hopkins Pediatrics and Family Practice
    • Lake Monticello Family Practice
    • Little Mountain Pediatric and Family Practice
    • Pediatrics of Batesburg-Leesville
    • Pediatrics of Newberry
    • Pelion Pediatrics Family & Dental Practice
    • Ridgeway Pediatrics, Family & Dental Practice
    • Sterling Sharpe Pediatric Center
    • Transitions Homeless Shelter
    • Waverly Family Practice
    • Waverly Women’s Health & Internal Medicine
    • Waverly Women’s Health
    • West Columbia Coop Pharmacy
    • Winnsboro Pediatrics & Family Practice
    • Back
  • Request an Appointment
  • Patient Portal
  • Social Media
  • COVID-19 UPDATES