Should I Worry About TMD After A Car Accident?
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are involved in car accidents. While we hate to discuss something as severe as a car accident, we feel it is important to know how this experience can impact your TMD or lead to new or different symptoms. Depending on the type and severity of the car accident, there is a chance that you will experience TMD for the first time or, if you have already been diagnosed, you may experience a flare-up of symptoms.
If you are unfamiliar, TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, and is an issue that can arise due to problems in the facial muscles and jaw joints. You may also be familiar with the term TMJ, which stands for the temporomandibular joint. This joint is the hinge that attaches your jaw to your skull, and if it becomes misaligned, it can lead to discomfort and have lasting effects.
Be Mindful Of Symptoms
After experiencing a car accident, you don’t always feel aches and pains immediately. It can sometimes take a few days for your body to adjust. It is important to note that you may not have hit your jaw or even your face and still have TMJ problems. When you are in an accident or experience any trauma to the body, it is a natural reaction for your body to become tense, and your jaw will clench. The stress on the jaw joints can lead to a flare-up of symptoms.
If you are located in Silverdale, WA or the surrounding area and have experienced a car accident and are dealing with symptoms related to TMD, be sure to contact our office, and our team will get you in for an appointment as soon as possible. Safe driving!
