Around 10% of people in the UK experience problems with their jaw joint.[i] As such, it’s vital that all healthcare professionals have a good understanding of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and the consequences it can have for patients. Whilst TMD is often misunderstood, the jaw joints are responsible for all jaw and mouth movements, so it’s…
Sometimes, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is disguised as another condition. Commonly, ear pain is caused by an ear infection. Because of this, many people may make an assumption that their earache is temporary, and wait for it to pass, or seek treatment for an infection. Some may even blame allergies for their earache.[i] But, if the…
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can have a considerable impact on many aspects of patients’ health. For some patients, this might include eye pain. In fact, research found that 78% of TMD patients experienced eye pain.[i] Patients may complain of a stabbing sensation behind the eyes, as well as swelling and twitching. These symptoms can affect concentration,…
There are around 12,400 new cases of head and neck cancer in the UK every year. Head and neck cancer can be found in the mouth and lips, voice box, throat, salivary glands, nose and sinuses, and at the back of the nose and mouth. Of these, mouth cancer is the most common type, and…
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is estimated to affect around 31% of adults and 11% of children in the UK. However, it is difficult to be sure about this because many people do not seek help for the problem. Only around 5% of adults look into options for treatment.[i] One of the causes of TMD could be…
Everyone wants to be understood. Clear speech is key in many areas of life. It is important in relationships and at work. At any age, struggling with speech problems can be upsetting and may cause patients to become anxious and withdrawn.[i] Impaired speech can have an effect on a person’s emotional health too.[ii] Feeling misunderstood…
Removal of wisdom teeth is very common. Many people don’t have space in the jaw for the wisdom teeth, so if they’re allowed to come through, other teeth may shift and cause problems. To prevent this, surgery to remove them is often needed.[i] Even though it is a common procedure, problems may occur as a…
Research suggests that 1 in 14 adults in the UK feel stressed every day. The most common cause, at 79%, is work related.[i] With so many people feeling the pressure on a daily basis, it is important to understand the impact that this can have on the body, and the ways in which your patients…
When caring for patients who are going through the menopause, it is important to look out for the associated oral health symptoms, and help your patients manage them. One of these is temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Women are estimated to be around three times more likely to develop a TMD than men.[i] And, this becomes even…
Facial injuries can occur for any number of reasons. Speech therapists may see the results of these injuries, and when this happens, it is important to know the best ways to help patients recover. Facial trauma can impact people of any age, so whether you are treating a child, teen or adult, the assessment of…