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How Serious Is Your TMJ Pain?

Do you find yourself clenching down on your jaw when you’re stressed or anxious? Or perhaps you grind your teeth at night? Have you also noticed pain in your mouth, which is making it difficult to do necessary, everyday things – like chew food or talk? If so, chances are you’re a sufferer of TMD. What is TMD? Is it serious? How can it be treated? These are all questions that we have answered here!

What is TMJ/TMD?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, the fulcrum connecting your temporal skull bones to your jaw. This hinge allows you to comfortably do things like chew, talk and yawn – it’s a pretty important part of your body!

What causes TMD?

TMJ refers to any injury or soreness with this joint. Catalysts for TMD include arthritis, grinding or clenching teeth, anxiety or stress can also cause a clenching of the jaw or tightening of the teeth, a heavy strike or blow to the face, or even whiplash.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Common symptoms of the TMJ include aches in or around the ear, trouble chewing and swallowing or opening and closing the mouth, swelling on the side of the face, sensitive teeth, a clicking or popping sound when opening or clothing the mouth, or a rigid jaw that can feel locked.

Now we have a grasp on what TMD is, and the signs by which we can recognise it – but what can we do to treat this uncomfortable and annoying disorder?

There are myriad at-home methods you can do to relieve the symptoms of TMJ. Warming and cooling the affected area by applying warm and cold presses in intervals of around ten minutes, can provide you with temporary relief to the pain.

What you eat can also have an impact on the level of pain you endure as a sufferer of TMD; a diet of soft foods will be much easier than foods which require excessive chewing or for the mouth to widen. Common culprits include raw carrots and chewing gum.

Whilst at home remedies may offer relief from the pain and discomfort caused by TMJ for a period of time, they do not treat it, or offer any long term results. If pain persists you’ll need to visit a professional such as a dentist or a GP

Millennium Dental, a TMJ dentist located in Mosman, NSW, offer a full range of therapies for TMD and treat TMJ pain. Call 02 9969 5572 to find out more about our it.

If you’re suffering from pain and discomfort from what you believe could be TMJ, don’t wait any longer – call today and seek permanent relief and a wider smile today!

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Sibel Serce

Oral Health Therapist

Sibel is one of our Oral Health Therapists at Millennium Dental.

Since becoming a member of the team, Sibel has consistently demonstrated the utmost commitment and dedication towards helping each of our patients. She has gained her experience in both the public health sector, as well as other private clinics throughout Sydney.

Her friendly nature makes her extremely approachable. When tailoring to her patients’ needs, Sibel ensures she is able to provide an attentive yet pleasurable dental experience for everybody she meets.  She is extremely passionate about promoting oral health to both her friends and fellow peers.

Sibel is a graduate of the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Oral Health. She is also bilingual in speaking English and Turkish.

When she is away from the clinic, Sibel loves spending time with her big family, finding cafes for brunch as well a gym workout.

Lisa Bow

Dental Hygienist

Lisa has dedicated her working life to the field of dentistry, initially, at the youthful age of 19, graduating in 1989 as a Chairside Dental Assistant and later graduating in 1994 as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Lisa’s 32 years of experience in the dental setting makes her a valuable and sought-after practitioner in our practice. 

Lisa began her dental career in Ottawa, Canada. She later brought her skills and passion for oral health to Sydney in 2000, where she accepted a position with Millennium Dental Care. Lisa spreads the flossing gospel and cares for her loyal clients by providing gentle and effective preventive treatment combined with individualized education and instruction, along with respectful and ongoing encouragementOften hearing, “That’s the best dental cleaning I’ve ever had!” at the end of her appointments. Lisa has many long and loyal client relationships within Millennium Dental Care, several have been in her care for over 20 years. Lisa’s gentle nature and respectful manner can put even the most nervous dental clients at ease. Lisa looks forward to welcoming you and your family and friends into our Millennium Dental Family. 


Lisa regularly attends ongoing continuing education through conferences and courses and is a member of the Australian Dental Hygiene Association and the Canadian Dental Hygiene Association. In her free time Lisa enjoys ridiculously long walks, spending time with her two funny teenagers, and learning new skills by watching DIY videos on YouTube. 

Shruti Kulhalli

Dentist

Since graduating with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide, Dr Shruti Kulhalli has worked in Sydney and Adelaide, both as a dentist and as a university clinical tutor.  Dr Shruti brings extensive range of experience to our practice and strives for perfection when treating each and every one of her patients, always tailoring her approach to an individual’s needs. Her warm and friendly manner ensures a comfortable, personal experience for each patient. Always seeking to stay up-to-date with the ever-evolving world of dentistry, she regularly attends dental conferences and courses all around Australia. With a keen interest in both cosmetic and complex restorative dentistry.  As a mum of 2 young kids, Dr Shruti is especially passionate about the need for great paediatric dentistry.

Dr Shruti particularly enjoys the interpersonal and artistic aspects of dentistry. She loves being able to meet and to get to know different people each day and nothing gives her greater pleasure than using her skills and experience to help people gain optimal dental health and a beautiful smile. She also firmly believes that health is holistic, and when planning treatment, and always considers her patient’s general physical health and their well-being with the knowledge that these can have an important influence on oral health. 

In the little time that she’s not being a dentist or a mum, Dr Shruti is a regular at her local pilates studio, and also loves learning and reading about health and wellness. In 2013, she received her certificate in health coaching with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. This has given her the unique ability as a dentist to provide advice to her patients on the link between dental health and nutrition.

Mark Rosenberg

Dentist

Dr Mark Rosenberg graduated in South Africa in 1982, before moving to London for fifteen years. During his time in London, Dr Rosenberg furthered his studies in implant dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetics and general oral surgery. In 1987 Dr Rosenberg received the LDS from the Royal College of Surgeons and also passed his American board exams. Dr Rosenberg benefited from the great experience of running multiple surgeries and a general anaesthetics clinic for many years.

Dr Rosenberg has done extensive courses in cosmetics and implant surgery and holds several post graduate implant and orthodontic diplomas.

Since immigrating to Sydney, he has enjoyed the daily drive from the Eastern suburbs to Mosman. His spare time is spent chasing after his young daughter who keeps him young and tired at the same time! He has kept fit for many years and his present regime involves running, swimming and pilates; however, his knees have decided his marathon running days are over!