Below is an excerpt from an article found on mouthhealthy.org The temporomandibular joints, called TMJ, are the joints and jaw muscles that make it possible to open and close your mouth. Located on each side of the head, your TMJ work together when you chew, speak or swallow and include muscles and ligaments as well as the jaw bone. They also control the lower jaw (mandible) as it moves forward, backward and side to side. Each TMJ has a disc between the ball and socket. The disc cushions the load while enabling the jaw to open widely and rotate or glide. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder.  Possible causes of TMJ disorders include: arthritis  dislocation  injury  tooth and jaw alignment  stress and teeth grinding  Diagnosis is an important step before treatment. Part of the dental examination includes checking the joints and muscle...

Ask about all the options for calming your child during dental procedures  Dental work can be scary for some kids. Talk with your dentist about ways to help your child stay calm. Tips for a successful dental visit can include making sure your child is not hungry before their dental appointment and scheduling an appointment at the proper time of day. For jaw pain, try conservative treatments first  Jaw pain can be caused by stress, arthritis or an injury. A treatment plan for jaw pain should first consist of actions like exercises and anti-inflammatory drugs. To read the entire article visit  MouthHealthy.org . Vista Dental Care      Chad Aitken, DMD 280-5201 43 St. Red Deer, AB T4N 1C7 (855) 636-9223    VistaDentalCare.ca