TMJ Disorder – Symptoms and Relief
You might not give your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) much thought, but they get a lot of use. Your jawbone and your skull are linked by joints. The TMJ comes into action when you chew, swallow or talk.
TMJ disorders happen when something is wrong with the jaw joints and muscles. This can occur as a result of a jaw injury, arthritis-related inflammation, or overuse. For TMJ treatment you should first acknowledge the symptoms.
TMJ disorders can cause a range of symptoms ranging from mild to severe, including:
Discomfort while chewing
Pain in the regions like ear, jaw, neck and face
Sounds like clicking, grating or popping while opening or closing your mouth
Locked jaw joint
Throbbing headaches
Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially at the area of the joint
Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus)
A toothache-like discomfort
Ear pressure (earache) or cracking sounds in the ears
Tinnitus or a feeling of fullness in the ears
Distorted vision
Tight, rigid, or sore jaw or neck muscles
Muscle spasms in the jaw
Pain in the face, mouth, jaw, cheeks, or chin numbness or tingling
A throbbing sensation at the tongue base
Pain and swelling in the temple area
Shoulder ache
Vertigo or dizziness
The temporomandibular joint attaches your jaw to the base of your skull. If this joint is injured or damaged, it may cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or temporomandibular disorder, which is a localized pain disorder (TMD). Injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding or clenching, bad posture, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing are all causes of TMJ disorders.
What are the causes that put you at risk for TMJ syndrome?
TMD can be caused by a variety of causes, including:
Neck strain and abnormal jaw muscle function can be caused by poor posture in the neck and upper back muscles.
Muscle tension and jaw clenching can be exacerbated by stress.
Women between the ages of 18 and 44 are at a greater risk.
Patients who have other forms of chronic inflammatory arthritis are at a greater risk.
People that have had jaw injuries or have teeth that are not correctly spaced are at a greater risk.
Individuals with a hereditary predisposition to pain sensitivity and heightened stress responses may be more vulnerable.
Pain relief for the TMJ
The following are some of the best home remedies for TMJ treatment:
Apply ice or cold packs to the affected joint.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), as well as other pain relievers, such as aspirin (Ecotrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) (Tylenol)
Stop chewing gum and eating soft foods
Jaw and neck muscle massage or gentle self-stretching (A TMJ dentist or physical therapist can recommend appropriate stretches.)
Stress control and mitigation methods and relaxation techniques
Essential oils with sedative properties (such as chamomile, lavender, clary sage and sweet marjoram) can provide temporary relief from TMJ pain and discomfort.
Benefits of Pain Relieving Activities
It's unclear how TMJ exercises could help with pain relief. They're considered to be beneficial in the following ways:
Jaw muscle strengthening
Jaw stretching
Jaw relaxation
Increased mobility of the jaw
Minimized jaw clicking
Aid in the healing of the jaw
Make your appointment today with us at TMJ & Sleep Therapy Center of Oklahoma for consultation with a TMJ dentist. For more dental disorder, sleeping issues, call us.
**Disclaimer: This content is not a professional dental or medical advice and does not imply a relationship between patient and care provider or the doctors.