Life with a TMJ disorder can be difficult. The TMJ – the temporomandibular joint – is where your jawbone connects to your skull, on either side of the head. This joint is used any time you move your mouth, whether it’s for talking, eating, or any other oral activity. So, any TMJ disorder (TMD) can quickly become a major issue.
The most typical symptom of TMJ disorders is pain when moving the jaw around, but they can also manifest as:
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when moving the jaw
- Headaches
- Pain across the face or even upper back
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Difficulty moving the jaw
- Locked jaw
Dentists and doctors continue to learn more and more about TMD. Fortunately, there are still a wide range of options in TMJ treatment and pain relief. Most often, a combination of these treatments will work best!
Explaining TMJ Treatments
- Exercises
The most common form of treatment for TMJ disorders is exercise. Various jaw exercises help strengthen and relax the jaw, decreasing pain and improving functionality. Some of the most common exercises include:
- Relaxing the jaw so it opens naturally
- “Goldfish” exercises – placing one finger on the affected joint, while using the other to pull the mouth open and closed.
- Chin tucks, rocking the head up and down
- Opening the mouth while creating resistance, by holding a thumb under the jaw
- Opening and closing the mouth while placing the tip of the tongue on the roof of the mouth
- Side-to-side jaw movements
- Front-to-back jaw movements
Your doctor or dentist will work with you to discover the best exercises for your condition and set up a daily regimen.
- Lifestyle changes
In some cases, it may be that lifestyle choices can contribute to TMD. For example, many researchers believe that chewing gum, and other repetitive jaw movements, can contribute to TMJ pain. TMD patients are usually advised to avoid chewing gum and other extremely chewy foods.
Your doctor or dentist may also recommend you go on a soft-food diet for a period, to see if that relaxes the jaw.
In addition, TMD can also be made worse by activities which involve bigger mouth movements, such as singing. Exaggerated yawning may also contribute. Keeping mouth movements smaller can help.
- Pain management
The most common pharmaceutical TMJ treatment is simple over-the-counter pain killers, particularly Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammation Drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen (Advil) or Naproxen (Aleve). In more severe cases, a doctor might prescribe muscle relaxants as well, to see if they help.
Other common pain management treatment options include:
- Mouth Guards. These can be used to re-align your jaw, or to prevent clenching or grinding of teeth while asleep – both of which can contribute to TMD.
- Heat treatment, such as warm towels.
- Cold treatment, such as ice packs.
- Acupuncture to relieve stress in nearby areas.
Get TMJ Solutions with Dental Wellness Airway
In short, there’s no single TMJ treatment. Your dentist or doctor will work with you and find options that work. If you do have TMD, don’t keep suffering – contact Dental Wellness Airway for an appointment.