TMJ, TMD Causes and Treatments

We often underestimate the pain we feel in face or jaw. It usually occurs due to TMJ. Majority of people are unaware of TMJ. Hence, it is no wonder that very few patients visit the dentist for the checkup and treatment.

If you are undergoing severe pain in your jaw, it could be because of TMJ disorder. You need to visit a dental health professional right away who can treat this disorder. Dental experts at Advanced Dental Solutions can inform you about the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders.

What is TMJ disorder?

You must be aware of complex joints in our face. They are also accompanied by complex bone structures. The distinct forms of sliding and disk joints between the bones ensure proper facial movement. At times, these joints do not function properly. This could trigger severe pain in your jaw and facial muscles. TMJ alters the functioning of your joints and facial muscles.

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge joint that connects your upper and lower jaw to your skull. If this joint gets affected in some manner, it causes pain in your jaw. TMJ disorder usually causes pain in the joints between your jaw and your skull. TMJ disorders are also known to cause pain in the muscles responsible for jaw movement. Usually, the pain associated with TMJ is temporary and goes away with simple treatments. However, in severe cases, there could be surgery required.

Symptoms of TMJ

Facial pain could be caused due to several reasons. Such reasons may include injury, arthritis, clenching of the jaw or other reasons. Therefore, it is often problematic to gather whether you are suffering from TMJ disorder or not. However, many symptoms point to TMJ. These are:

• Pain in your jaw
• Pain in the joints attaching your jaw to the skull (temporomandibular joints)
• Pain around your ears
• Facial and nerve pain
• Difficulty in opening or closing of your mouth
• Difficulty in chewing food
• Clicking or grating sensation every time you open your mouth
• Causes of TMJ

There could be various causes of TMJ disorder. It is difficult to determine the exact cause of TMJ disorder in a person. However, there are a few potential reasons that could cause TMJ disorder:

• Misalignment of your teeth or jaw.
• The habit of grinding of teeth.
• Clenching your teeth when anxious.
• Injury to the trigeminal nerve.
• Excessive chewing of gum.

If you are experiencing excruciating pain in your mouth, do not think twice before visiting a dentist. Schedule an appointment with Advanced Dental Solutions to seek medical treatment.

Treatment options for TMJ

The pain associated with TMJ is often temporary and goes away with simple exercises. However, if the symptoms continue to exist, you have a variety of treatment options for TMJ to choose from:

• Medication: There are a lot of medication options available to help you deal with the pain associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants and, anti-inflammatory meds are commonly used to deal with the symptoms. There are several over-the-counter medications that you can choose from, too. However, in cases where an over-the-counter drug isn’t working, you can always visit a dentist to get prescribed with stronger medication
• Non-medicinal Therapy: Several therapies could help with TMJ too. Mouth-guards and oral splinters are known to relieve jaw pain. Several physical therapies could help you deal with TMJ too. Exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of the jaw muscles are quite helpful. Sometimes moist heat or ice can also be a good non-medicinal option to deal with the symptoms of TMJ.
• Surgery: If medication and exercise don’t work for you, you might need to go to a doctor for surgical treatments. The surgical treatments for TMJ include joint surgery and arthroscopy, among others. TMJ implants are also becoming a renowned mode of treatment nowadays. Going for a surgical procedure might seem risky. However, surgery is very convenient for people suffering from TMJ disorder.

If you have been experiencing jaw pain, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder. However, there is no reason to worry. There are several TMJ/TMD treatments available for your convenience. It is, however, crucial to consult a reliable dentist before deciding on a suitable treatment option for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. You can google ‘TMJ jaw treatment ’. You will come across Advanced Dental Solutions. The services provided by Advanced Dental Solutions are world-class. If you ever experience TMJ jaw symptoms, visit a dentist right away.