TMJ/TMD Treatment


In Gulf Breeze, FL

Does your jaw click or pop when chewing, speaking, or yawning? Do you find yourself with frequent headaches? If so, you may suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

TMD is a prevalent condition, affecting approximately 15% of adults. It can place stress on your jaw or cause misalignment in your jaws, or even headaches.

What Is Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)?


You have temporomandibular joints on each side of your jaw that help with opening and closing the mouth and moving the jaw from side to side. These joints consist of muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and jawbones.

Temporomandibular disorders are specific symptoms that occur in and around the TMJ, preventing them from working properly and causing discomfort.

When the muscles, ligaments, or discs that make up the TMJ do not work together properly, the results can be discomfort in different forms. The muscles can become inflamed or over-stretched. The disc can become displaced resulting in bone-to-bone contact. One or all of these can cause pain.

Many different things can cause the dysfunction of your TMJ. Our office will investigate the root cause of the issue, as well as treat symptoms.

woman in white sweater smiling

Symptoms of TMD

  • Pain in or around the ear
  • Tender jaw muscles
  • Clicking or popping noises in the jaw
  • Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
  • Pain when yawning or chewing
  • Jaw joints that feel locked, immobile, or out of alignment.
  • Headaches or Migraines
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Toothache (not from infection or damage)
  • Shoulder or neck pain
  • Changes to how your bite fits together (malocclusion)

What Causes TMD?

While there is no single cause of temporomandibular dysfunction, there are several things that could be the cause of your joint pain, including:

  • Stress
  • Bruxism (clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth)
  • Malocclusion (a misaligned bite)
  • Trauma to the head, neck, or jaw
  • Arthritis

Although it may take a dental professional to diagnose and treat your TMD, there are things you can do to ease the strain on the joint and save yourself some discomfort: 

  • Don’t use your teeth as tools
  • Don’t chew on hard things like ice or pencils
  • Don’t clench or grind your teeth
  • Don’t sleep on your stomach
  • Do take smaller bites
  • Do chew gum in moderation
  • Do practice good posture
  • Do practice self-care to help manage your stress
  • Do apply ice or heat packs

Maintaining good habits and care for your TMJ is as essential to its proper function as routine oral hygiene is for your teeth.

Treatment of TMD In Gulf Breeze, FL


Most TMD symptoms can be treated with head and neck massages, warm moist heat, a soft diet, and a custom-made occlusal guard. The custom occlusal guard is to be worn at night to prevent the jaw muscles from contracting resulting in clenching or grinding of the teeth. This gives the muscles a chance to relax and rest.

At Barrineau DDS in Gulf Breeze, we strive to provide our patients with the highest level of comfort and care, conveniently serving the Gulf Breeze, East Hill, and downtown Pensacola communities.

Find Lasting Relief from Jaw Pain

Find relief from TMD with Dr. Nicole Barrineau in Gulf Breeze, where expert care meets serene comfort. Schedule your consultation today and let us help you enjoy a life free of dental pain and stress.