Are you familiar with stiffness in your jaw and grinding of your teeth? Do you suffer from pain or fatigue of facial muscles? Have you noticed that your jaw seems to click? Do you feel ringing in your ears? The main thing for treatment is to find the cause. Sometimes it is due to improper functioning of the temporomandibular joint. It acts as a special hinge, connecting the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull, which are located in front of each ear. This joint allows you to move your jaw up, down, and side to side. Without this joint, we would not be able to speak, chew, or yawn. TMJ disorders can cause significant discomfort. Let’s discuss TMJ treatment!
TMJ can cause severe pain and may affect one or both sides of the face and is most common. The patient may feel pain in the jaw, face, neck, shoulders, or around the ears. This is especially noticeable when chewing, talking, or yawning. The jaw is stiff and seems to be stuck in an open or closed position. It is difficult to open the mouth wide. Sometimes the patient hears clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in the jaw joint. This problem causes fatigue of the facial muscles. Swelling is also observed. The person suffers from toothaches, ear pain, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Headaches, migraines, dizziness, or tingling in the fingers also torment the patient with this problem. Fortunately, there is a way out!
The exact cause of TMJ is often unclear. And of course, this complicates treatment. Sometimes problems with the joint are caused by trauma to the jaw, joint, or surrounding muscles. This can be the result of a strong blow or whiplash injury.
Sometimes people complain to dentists about involuntary grinding or clenching of teeth. This habit puts excessive pressure on the joint. Unfortunately, as a result, teeth are sometimes destroyed. Sometimes problems with the intervertebral discs arise. They are caused by arthritis, that is, inflammation or degeneration of the joint. And sometimes the cause is stress. Under stress, a person overexerts the facial and jaw muscles or clenches his teeth. And this is extremely difficult to control. There are a number of misconceptions that should be refuted.
Orthodontic treatment, such as braces or “bad bite,” does not cause TMJ. However, an interesting fact is known. Between 5% and 12% of adults suffer from some form of TMJ. Women and people who were assigned female at birth are twice as likely to develop TMJ. Perhaps it is due to differences in the structure and mechanics of the TMJ.
How to diagnose TMJ? Unfortunately, this is not an easy task. TMJ specialists often confuse this problem with tooth decay, sinus problems, arthritis, or gum disease. How can you make an accurate diagnosis? Your dentist will review your medical history and perform a physical examination. He or she will check for jaw pain, tenderness, or unusual sounds when moving your jaw. Your dentist will evaluate your bite and facial muscle function.
What diagnostic tools does your dentist use? X-rays are good for examining your jaw, TMJ, and analyzing your teeth. MRIs are used by doctors to evaluate the position of the joint disc as your jaw moves. CT scans help to obtain detailed images of the bone structures of the joint.
TMJ arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera to examine the joint. Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon or orthodontist if needed.
You should always see a doctor. It is also important to monitor your condition at home.
A doctor will sometimes prescribe over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce pain and swelling. Do you have pain? Apply an ice pack for 10 minutes, then a warm towel for 5 minutes, several times a day. Eat yogurt, mashed potatoes, soup, and scrambled eggs. Avoid hard, crunchy foods.
Limit sudden jaw movements during the recovery period. Do not chew gum and try not to open your mouth wide when you yawn. It is very important to watch your posture. Do not rest your chin on your hand or hold your phone between your shoulder and ear. Try to reduce stress. Meditation, physical therapy, or massage often help. These are great ways to relieve jaw tension. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the jaw muscles are very helpful. Do not open packages with your teeth, and avoid sleeping on your stomach, as this may worsen symptoms.
As we have already mentioned, relaxation procedures are very important. Your doctor will recommend a series of massage sessions or physical therapy sessions. This will help to relax tense jaw muscles and improve the range of motion. Massage is a simple and non-invasive procedure. But its results are impressive. And it is also important not to tense the muscles. Relaxation techniques will have a great effect on your psyche and body. Try to cope with emotional overstrain. It is also obvious that joint problems also contribute to stress. Try to relieve pain, calm down, and practice breathing techniques and meditation. Do not overexert yourself!
If home remedies are not enough, your dentist may recommend medications. Use muscle relaxants or prescription sedatives to relieve pain. Splints or night guards can prevent teeth grinding and improve your bite. Crowns, bridges, or braces are available to correct bite problems or replace missing teeth. Doctors also use trigger point injections to relieve tension.
If non-surgical methods do not help, surgery may be required. Open joint surgery is designed for severe cases, involving direct access to the joint.
Don’t tolerate pain! If you suffer from this disease, be sure to see a doctor. Our specialists offer advanced treatment methods. We will help you get rid of pain and discomfort associated with the temporomandibular joint. Make an appointment!
