Say Goodbye to Jaw Pain: How TMJ TMD Treatment Can Restore Your Comfort!

The temporomandibular joints link your jawbone to the skull. These joints are located on both sides of your jaw and act as a sliding hinge when you speak, chew, or laugh. Unfortunately, these joints can get stiff and cause pain, hence the name TMD, meaning temporomandibular disorder. There is no known exact cause for the disorder, but problems like bruxism, jaw injury, and arthritis increase the risk of getting this disorder.

Failure to go for TMJ TMD treatment in Ocoee, FL, might lead to further complications to the point where you cannot open or close your mouth properly and need to be on medication to deal with the pain. This piece will explain why you need to go for treatment as soon as you suspect that you have the disorder.

The Importance of TMJ TMD Treatment

Going for TMD treatment has a lot of benefits. Some of them include:

• It lowers the risk of developing dental damage.
• It improves your overall health as you can eat well and take care of yourself better.
• It restores the normal function of your jaws.
• It alleviates pain caused by the disorder.
• Have a better overall mood.
• It reduces the number of medications you take.
• It protects your dental restorations and your teeth.
• Improves the quality of your sleep.
• You enjoy food more.

Diagnosis and Evaluation of TMJ TMD

Some of the symptoms of TMD include:

• Earaches
• Migraines
• Jaw clicking or popping.
• Toothache
• Ringing in ears.
• Malocclusion
• Challenge when opening and closing the mouth.
• Headaches

If you notice a combination of these symptoms, you should visit the dental office in Ocoee for consultation. The dentist will diagnose the disorder by:

• Feeling around your jaw joint by instructing you to open and close your mouth.
• Applying pressure on your jaw and face to identify areas where you feel pain.
• Examining your range of motion when instructed to open and close your mouth.

Besides performing these physical exams, the dentist will also take images of your jaw joints and the surrounding tissues. The images taken include the following:

• TMJ arthroscopy.
• Dental X-rays.
• MRI. (Magnetic resonance imaging).
• CT scans. (Computed tomography.

Treatment Options for TMJ TMD

At times, the symptoms of TMJ disorders go away without any treatment. However, if the symptoms persist, the dentist near you can recommend various treatment options. They include:

Medications:

Muscle relaxants– these drugs are used for a short period to relieve pain caused by the disorder.

Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers– at times, over-the-counter painkillers may not be sufficient to relieve pain and discomfort caused by TMJ. The dentist will recommend a stronger painkiller for a short period to help cope with the disorder.

Tricyclic antidepressants– medications such as amitriptyline are used to relieve pain, help with lack of sleep, and control teeth grinding and clenching problems.

Surgery:

TMJ arthroscopy.

Open joint surgery.

Arthrocentesis.

Therapy:

Ultrasound therapy- this treatment utilizes sound waves to heat the jaw tissues for increased blood flow and muscle relaxation.

Physical therapy- these are TMJ exercises to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles.

Counseling- counseling can assist you in understanding the factors that may increase the risk of TMJ and behaviors that can worsen the condition.

Self-Care Techniques for TMJ TMD

• Ensure you get enough sleep- sleep is imperative for good health. Ensure that you sleep on your back and use pillows to support your neck.
• Correct your posture- when you sit, ensure you use a chair with back support and take breaks to improve your posture. Remember that a bad posture can increase TMJ pain.
• Reduce stress- stress can make you apply pressure on your teeth when you sleep, worsening TMD.
• Use a bag of icepack on the affected jaw to lessen pain and swelling caused by the disorder.

Preventive Measures for TMJ TMD

• Wear a custom-fitted mouth guard when sleeping to prevent applying unwanted pressure on your jaw and teeth.
• Focus on your oral health- ensure that you go to dentist 34761 for regular checkups to prevent developing TMD.
• Avoid certain foods- foods that require a lot of chewing or are hard should be avoided.
• Wear a mouthguard during contact sports like football or rugby.
• Exercise your jaw to increase mobility in your joints.

As mentioned above, TMD can make your life less pleasurable and cause other problems. Therefore, if you suspect that you’re suffering from this disorder, visit the dentist in Ocoee as soon as possible. Going for treatment earlier alleviates the pain and helps the dentist treat the disorder before it requires more complex treatments like surgery.