{"id":396,"date":"2026-09-03T16:58:59","date_gmt":"2026-09-03T16:58:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/?p=396"},"modified":"2026-09-17T17:01:26","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T17:01:26","slug":"is-tmj-disorder-a-dental-problem-or-a-medical-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/is-tmj-disorder-a-dental-problem-or-a-medical-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Is TMJ Disorder a Dental Problem or a Medical One?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-300x200.png\" alt=\"a dental patient holding their jaw in pain\" class=\"wp-image-397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/image.png 975w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever dealt with a sore jaw, frequent headaches, or a clicking sound every time you chew, you may have wondered what\u2019s actually going on\u2014and who you\u2019re supposed to see for treatment. The truth is, these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/tmj-therapy.html\">TMJ issues<\/a> don\u2019t always fit neatly into one category, but in many cases, your dentist is going to be one of the best people to help you get to the bottom of the issue and find lasting relief. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Closer Look at TMJ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are the two hinge-like joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your skull, and they\u2019re responsible for pretty much every movement your mouth makes, including chewing, speaking, yawning, and even laughing and smiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When these joints become strained, injured, or misaligned, it can lead to what\u2019s known as TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. Some common symptoms of TMD include jaw pain, clicking or popping, difficulty opening your mouth fully, and even chronic headaches or neck and shoulder pain. These symptoms can be quite debilitating and lower your overall quality of life without treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is TMD Considered a Dental or Medical Problem?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It may seem like since TMD symptoms are mostly located within or around the mouth, it\u2019s solely a dental problem. And it\u2019s true that a misaligned bite, worn-down or missing teeth, or bruxism can all place excess pressure on the jaw joints, leading to painful symptoms felt in and around the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But because these joints are also part of a larger, interconnected system involving the muscles, nerves, and bones of the head and neck, its issues can also seem more medical in nature, including migraines and neck or shoulder pain. This overlap is why TMJ is often described as both a dental and medical concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of that said, because so many cases of TMJ trace back to bite alignment and dental function, your dentist is normally going to be the best first stop for a diagnosis and follow-up treatment. Between treatment options like custom-made occlusal splints, as well as occlusal adjustments, it\u2019s quite straightforward to address TMJ issues and achieve a harmonious bite. If further intervention is needed for medical reasons, they can then coordinate your care with other professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bottom line is, TMJ disorders can be truly puzzling, with roots that are dental, medical, or both at once. That said, if you\u2019re dealing with discomfort that affects your daily life, don\u2019t wait to speak with your dentist to find a solution that brings you relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the leadership of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/meet-the-dentists.html\">Drs. Ryan and Rose Johnson<\/a>, our team here at Jacksonville Dental Excellence has served the needs of patients in Jacksonville and the nearby area for several years. We offer a wide range of services, including TMJ therapy in the form of equilibration and custom-made occlusal splints. If you have any questions about the blog or you\u2019re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, you can reach out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jacksonvilledentalexcellence.com\/contact.html\">online<\/a> or call today for more information. <strong>Telephone: (904) 895-4536.<\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever dealt with a sore jaw, frequent headaches, or a clicking sound every time you chew, you may have wondered what\u2019s actually going on\u2014and who you\u2019re supposed to see for treatment. The truth is, these TMJ issues don\u2019t always fit neatly into one category, but in many cases, your dentist is going to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Is TMJ Disorder a Dental Problem or a Medical One? | Jacksonville Dental Excellence<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Have you noticed something seems off with your jaw joints? Did you know that this issue can easily be treated by your dentist? 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