The TMJ is a joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. It is located in the lower jaw, and it’s located slightly before the ear. The joint is critical in the human body as it is responsible for most facial muscle movements such as chewing and smiling.
This joint is prone to some infections known as temporomandibular joint disorders. They affect some people resulting in excruciating pain in the joint. It is also linked to neck pain, ear pain, headaches, and many more.
You should book an appointment with a dental office that offers TMD treatment to manage the pain. Dental Arts of Plymouth offers TMD treatment.
IF you are experiencing TMJ disorder and the pain distracts you from performing your daily chores, you should promptly seek medical assistance. You can try some home remedies at first to manage the pain. If the pain persists despite using home remedies, visit a dentist’s office that offers TMJ treatment.
Apply ice
Ice is found in most homes. Wrap ice cubes in a polythene bag and seal them on the top. Then wrap the pack in a thin cloth and apply it to the affected joint for 10 to 20 minutes. Ensure you don’t place the cold pack on your bare skin.
Use moist heat
Like many other joints in the human body, a TMJ can be healed by applying moist heat. You wrap a bottle full of hot water with a moist cloth. Apply the moist heat pack on the affected joint for approximately 15 minutes. It may relieve the pain or get rid of it completely. While using moist heat, be extremely cautious to avoid burning yourself.
Eat soft foods
In case you are experiencing TMJ pain, avoid straining your jaws. Eat soft foods instead of solid and crunchy ones. The TMJ can heal by itself if you give it a break.
Exercises
Exercising your jaws is a popular technique for getting rid of TMJ pain. Your dentist may recommend several exercises to relieve your jaw pain. Exercises are very effective in combating TMJ pain. They include;
Some medications can help relieve TMJ pain. They include ibuprofen and acetaminophen. For severe cases, muscle relaxers may be prescribed.
When home techniques fail to relieve pain, you can visit a local dentist. In some cases, TMJ pain is caused by daily habits, while it might originate from TMD in some instances. The dentist assesses your situation and may recommend several techniques.
Mouthguards
In some cases, TMJ pain is caused by teeth grinding in conjunction with jaw clenching. The dentist may recommend using a mouth guard, which realigns your jaw, thus combating bruxism and TMJ pain.
Acupuncture
It is a technique that helps reduce the pressure on the affected joint.
Corticosteroids injections
In severe cases of TMJ pain, you may need a more invasive procedure such as corticosteroid injections. It entails injections of BOTOX in the affected joint to relieve the pain.
Surgery
When everything else fails to work, the dental expert results in a delicate treatment option such as a TMJ procedure. A TMJ surgery is only conducted in advanced dental clinics. It is usually used to treat several types of TMJ disorders. Your dentist may recommend you to an excellent dental clinic that offers the procedure.
TMJ pain should not be a cause of concern in most cases. Dentists recommend home treatment options such as exercises and physical pain therapy before turning to invasive ones. Invasive treatment options such as surgery and injections are administered as a last result.
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