Your dentist is the best person to see for relief from TMJ disorders. This is not only because of where the joint is located, but because they are highly trained to treat the things that can cause TMJ pain, such as the teeth, jaw, bite alignments, and the like. And who understands the inner workings of the mouth better than a dentist?
If you want to find healing, you are going to need to get to the root cause of the TMJ pain. Here is everything you need to know about it —- and why you need to schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Understanding TMJ Disorders
The temporomandibular joint is located on each side of the skull near the ears. It works to move your lower jaw so that you may talk, chew, yawn, and otherwise move it in all directions. While it may sound simple, it isn’t. The joint is quite complex which provides many opportunities for things to go wrong.
Those who suffer from TMJ disorders know that pain may come and go — and it may be mild or severe. Headaches, jaw pain, ear pain, popping or grinding noises, difficulty with range of motion, locking of the jaw, and more are all associated with the condition.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
As previously mentioned, a lot can go wrong with this complex joint. A few of the common causes of TMJ pain include:
- Bruxism (grinding and clenching of the jaw)
- High levels of stress
- Trauma to the face or jaw.
- Arthritis
- Misaligned bite
Getting to the root cause can ensure that you have the most successful treatment.
Dental Treatment for TMJ Disorders
The treatment for TMJ disorders will vary based on the patient since the condition can stem from different things. For those with mild pain that comes and goes, at-home treatment can often be beneficial, such as cold compresses, eating soft foods, and otherwise giving the jaw a rest.
Seeing the dentist, however, opens you up to new opportunities for treatment including exercises, prescription medication, and the following:
Stabilization Splint or Mouthguard
One of the most common treatment options is a stabilization splint or mouthguard. This is placed in the mouth and provides a cushion for those who tend to grind their teeth or clench their jaw as they sleep. In turn, it takes pressure off the joint and reduces the chance that it may become inflamed or irritated.
Your dentist can help you with a custom-fit splint or mouthguard that will give you the protection you need to get the most relief.
Choose the Right Dentist For Your TMJ Disorder Relief
If you are dealing with pain and discomfort from TMJ disorder, the team at Creekview Dental can offer you solutions that will restore your quality of life.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
