Battling against TMJ pain may take a toll on your life and disturb your daily routine. Luckily, you will find many kinds of treatments that will help you manage your pain. They run the gambit from natural TMJ pain cures to an effective combination of expert-backed, professional TMJ treatment, you will get several good treatment options with almost no side effects or risks. These will help you get pain relief from severe jaw pain and headaches—the two most common symptoms of the dysfunction.
What’s TMJ Disorder?
Dr. Stephanie Kinsey’s approach is actually getting down to the root cause of the problem. Believe it or not, the jaw is closely related to a lot of nerves that run through the head and come very close to the jaw joint. This position of the joint and the destruction of the teeth over time will cause tension which puts stress on the nerves and muscles in the head. Thus, the term ‘tension headache,’ which sounds like we are creating the problem due to possible stress. Stress, we know, is such a negative factor to our overall health and can accumulate over time if not properly addressed. And these things could also be a result of past traumas and unresolved issues.
What Causes TMJ?
An improper bite, sore muscles, strained tendons, ligaments, and arthritis or dislocation of the disc between the ball and socket joint can lead to TMJ dysfunction. Genes, gender (women are generally more susceptible), and age can also influence TMJ. Physical and psychological stress may also be behind the development.
TMJ Disorders: Major Signs & Symptoms
- Severe pain in either one or both of the temporomandibular joints
- Aching pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Throbbing pain in and around your ear
- Trouble in chewing or pain while chewing
- Locking of the joint, which makes it hard for you to open or shut your mouth
- Aching facial pain
This takes us to the key question: What are the most common TMJ Disorder Treatments?
In the majority of situations, you can choose any or a combination of these home-based options to treat the symptoms of the TMJ disorders:
1. Have soft foods! One of the best ways to start finding relief from TMJ pain is by just having softer foods because while eating softer foods, your jaw doesn’t have to work hard and chew as hard. When you don’t chew much, your jaw automatically gets less pressure and less stress and this helps as the inflammation goes down. Have a soft diet for many weeks to figure out if it helps ease any of your symptoms.
2. Use Heat or Cold Therapy to decrease swelling! You may also switch between hot and cold treatment on your jaw. Use a moist heat pack on your jaw for 15 minutes or use an ice pack for 15 minutes a few times every day. For the best possible results, take both hot and cold therapies separately, after some gaps.
3. Lessen jaw movements! If you have a habit of yawning, singing loudly, or yelling rather frequently, try to check any extreme jaw movements. This will give your TMJ joint some breathing time and a break from movement. With this, your pain could automatically decrease gradually.
4. Love chewing gum? Well, keep away from chewing gum. Also, avoid tough foods.
5. Practice jaw-stretching exercises to improve your jaw movement.
6. Take steps to cut down stress. Stress is a leading cause behind TMJ disorder. Most stressed-out people tighten up their jaw throughout the day without even knowing it. If you find yourself worried or under stress, try to cool down and become de-stressed by going for a walk in the woods, writing down your problems, speaking to a therapist, doing yoga or meditation, or reading a pleasant book. Do everything possible to calm down and keep your stress levels in check.
Medication
Check with a qualified TMJ dentist if nothing works. A qualified neuromuscular dentist like Dr. Kinsey can evaluate your situation and potentially prescribe pain medication to help you get relief after studying your situation and health background.
Final Thoughts
Home-based treatments such as having soft food, lessening jaw movements, using heat or cold therapy, taking steps to decrease tension– are just some of the most common treatments for TMJ dysfunction. In severe cases, however, surgery can be the right option for you to permanently correct TMJ pain and get you back to a normal life.
Call our dental office at (904) 474-5444 in St. Augustine, FL today to schedule an appointment. We can diagnose and treat your TMJ Dysfunction and help you get relief from its pain.
