02
Oct
TMJ Pain: What are Your Options for Treatment?
If you suffer from TMJ pain, you know how draining it can be. Painful symptoms can disrupt your daily activities and keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Knowing your options for TMJ disorder treatment can help you find the relief you need. In this post, Franklin A. Landers, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. in Boynton Beach, Florida, provides the answers you need to make wise decisions about this debilitating condition.
What is TMJ pain?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints, which are jaw joints that control the movement of your jaw. Everyone has two TMJs on each side of their face in front of their ears. When your TMJs function properly, you can easily talk, chew, yawn, and open and close your mouth. Dysfunction of these joints can lead to jaw pain, headaches, ear pain, and other TMJ disorder symptoms.Â
What causes TMJ disorders?
Various factors can contribute to your TMJs not functioning as they should. These include:
- Malocclusion (bad bite) – When your upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly, it can cause tension in your jaw, leading to TMJ pain.
- Teeth clenching or grinding due to stress or anxietyÂ
- Trauma to your jaw jointÂ
- Jaw joint arthritis
Following an evaluation of your condition, Dr. Landers will determine the cause of your TMJ pain and recommend suitable treatment options.
What are the symptoms of TMJ disorders?
Individuals with TMJ disorder may experience the following symptoms:Â
- Headaches or migrainesÂ
- Ear or jaw pain
- Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- Jaw clicking when chewingÂ
- Popping noises when you open and close your mouth Â
- Restricted jaw movementÂ
- Face, neck, or shoulder pain
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What are my options for TMJ disorder treatment?
If stress leads to teeth clenching or grinding, reducing stress levels can help minimize these habits and alleviate TMJ symptoms. You could pull back on your busy schedule or make other changes in your lifestyle to relieve stressful conditions. Dr. Landers also recommends the following therapies and treatments to help with TMJ pain relief:Â
- Custom-fitted mouthguards or splints to ease jaw tension and strain caused by bruxism
- Ultrasound therapy to loosen jaw muscles, ligaments and joints
- Jaw exercises to strengthen jaw muscles and improve jaw flexibilityÂ
- Botox injections to relax muscle tension in your jaw
- Orthodontics to correct your bite and ease jaw strain permanently
How long does TMJ pain last?
Some people only experience temporary TMJ pain, which lasts a few days or weeks and then gradually dissipates. Temporary TMJ pain can often be relieved with ice therapy, OTC pain relievers, or jaw exercises. Eating soft foods also helps manage temporary pain and discomfort, as they involve less chewing. In cases where your pain is persistent or almost chronic, your best recourse is to address the underlying cause of your pain to find long-term relief.Â
Where can I go for TMJ disorder treatment near me?
To learn more about TMJ disorders and treatments, contact Dr. Franklin Landers in Boynton Beach, FL, at (561) 770-6752.