If You Google Search TMD or TMJ... (aka Merry Christmas from Debbie Downer)

The pdf about tmj/tmdyou'll find on Google...

...you'll find a very handy downloadable pdf that explains a bit about TMD and how it works. The pdf says you can self-diagnose. That's true. But it leaves out the fact that if you don't get the proper treatment quickly enough, you can suffer permanent damage.

So many people turn to Google, WebMD and other self-diagnosing tools for help with tmj because they don't view it as a serious condition.

This viewpoint is often bolstered by well-meaning co-workers or friends who tell them it's nothing to worry about. Often times, people say it will just go away on it's own. (And in some cases it might.)

With healthcare being so expensive, most people would put a sore jaw really low on their list of priorities. Especially after they Google it and see quotes on the pdf that say "imaging not required". Please know that's not always true! I thought it was and it's why I now have an acute, permanent condition.

I know posting this on Christmas is very "Debbie Downer" of me, but it's not intended that way. I post this on Christmas because I hope to warn others. If I can prevent just one person from having their condition progress to the severity of what I live with, that would be the greatest gift I could ever receive! (Though with regular botox injections and other therapies and meds, the majority of the time I feel great! But it took forever to find the combo that worked.)

If you think you have TMD/TMJ/TMJD, or if you have a sore jaw (or any of the symptoms listed on my page) please make an appointment with your dentist. You can also have them do a very standard x-ray to double check. Dentists can always refer you to a specialist if they're stumped, but they are a fantastic starting place for diagnosis!

So this Christmas, I just want to say....make sure you don't lose all the cartilage in your jaw joints.