Managing TMJ Disorders: Tips and Techniques

TMJ disorders can be extremely painful and disruptive to your daily life. Many people don’t realize that there are things you can do to help manage the pain and symptoms associated with TMJ disorders. With TMJ Treatment Jasper, you can get your life back on track and find relief from the pain.

What is TMJ?

The Temporomandibular joint allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side. TMJ disorders can cause pain in this joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

Some things can contribute to TMJ disorders, including:

• Arthritis: Arthritis is a common cause of TMJ disorders. Arthritis can damage the cartilage cushions the joint, causing pain and inflammation.
• Jaw injury: A blow to the jaw or other injury can damage the TMJ and cause pain.
• Teeth grinding: Teeth grinding (bruxism) can put a lot of stress on the TMJ and lead to pain.
• Stress: Stress can cause you to tighten your jaw muscles, which can lead to pain.

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorders?

The symptoms of TMJ disorders vary from person to person but may include:

• Pain in the jaw joint: This can be dull, aching, sharp, or shooting pain.
• Pain in the muscles: The muscles that control jaw movement can become tight and sore.
• Clicking or popping sound when you move your jaw: This may be due to the damaged cartilage in the joint.
• Locked jaw: The jaw may feel stuck in one position and be challenging to move.
• Pain when you chew: You may find that it hurts to chew or that your teeth don’t fit together correctly when you bite down.

These are ways you can manage TMJ

Home remedies

A number of home remedies can help relieve the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorders. Try putting ice on the affected area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. You can also try applying heat, taking over-the-counter pain medication, and eating soft foods.

Prescription medication

If home remedies don’t work, your doctor may prescribe medication to help relieve your symptoms. This could include muscle relaxants, pain medication, or anti-inflammatory drugs. In some cases, a corticosteroid injection may be necessary.

Surgery

In severe cases of TMJ disorder, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. Surgery is usually only recommended if other treatments haven’t worked.

Lifestyle changes

There are some lifestyle changes you can make that may help to ease your symptoms. Avoid chewing gum, eating hard foods, and opening your mouth wide for extended periods. If you grind your teeth at night, your doctor may recommend wearing a mouth guard. Managing stress with relaxation techniques may also help.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for TMJ disorders. A physical therapist can teach you exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your jaw. They can also guide how to rest your jaw properly and use heat and cold therapy.

If you think you may have a TMJ disorder, it is important to see your doctor at Advanced Dental Care of East Texas so they can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.