TMJ disorders are conditions that affect the jaw joints and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them. Trauma, an improper bite, arthritis, or wear and tear can all contribute to it. Jaw tenderness, headaches, earaches, and facial pain are common symptoms.
Treatment options range from simple self-care and conservative therapies to injections and open surgery. Most experts agree that conservative, nonsurgical therapies should be used first, with surgery reserved as a last resort. In the sections that follow, we’ll look at various TMJ treatments.
Common TMJ treatment in Crestwood
TMJ treatment may be medications, surgical and non-surgical. Some of these include:
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). It uses low-level electrical currents are used to relieve pain by relaxing your jaw joint and facial muscles. TENS can be used at home or in your healthcare provider’s office.
- Ultrasound. This deep heat treatment is used on the TMJ to relieve pain or improve joint movement.
- Injections at trigger points. To relieve pain, anesthetic or pain medication is injected into tender muscles of the face (called “trigger points”).
- Radiofrequency therapy. It usesradio waves to stimulate the joint, with has a lower-level electrical stimulation, increasing blood flow and providing TMJ relief.
- Botulinum Toxin Type A (Botox®). These injections aid in the reduction of muscle mass and inflammation.
Nondrug Treatment Options for Tmj Disorders
If you have TMJ dysfunction, your dentist in 60418 will most likely recommend conservative treatment options first. However, many of these therapies can be used in conjunction to provide TMJ relief, including:
- Apply moist heat or cold packs. Place an ice pack on the side of your cheek for about 10 minutes to relieve acute pain. Simple jaw stretching exercises should be performed. After exercising, place a warm towel or washcloth on the side of your face for about five minutes. Repeat several times per day.
- Take soft foods. To keep your jaw from working so much, eat soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, soup, fish, scrambled eggs, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains. Hard and crunchy foods and chewy foods should be avoided. Chewing gum should be avoided.Take your medicines.
- Try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain and swelling. Higher doses of NSAIDs or other pain medications, such as narcotic analgesics, can be prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Muscle relaxants can help relax tight jaw muscles, especially in people who clench or grind their teeth. Anti-anxiety medications can help relieve stress, which is thought to aggravate TMJ symptoms. . Antidepressants in low doses can also help reduce or control pain. Muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety medications, and antidepressants are only available with a prescription.
- Put on a splint or a night guard. Splints and night guards are mouthpieces that fit over the top or bottom teeth. The mouthpieces, when worn, provide stable tooth contacts during closure. In addition, mouth guards help to correct your bite by positioning your jaw in a more advantageous position when worn.
- Take corrective dental measures. These treatments include replacing missing teeth and using crowns, bridges, or braces to bring your smile back to life. These treatments include tooth replacement or using crowns, bridges, or braces to restore your bite’s balance and alignment.
- Extreme jaw movements should be avoided. For instance, limit your yawning and chewing.
- Avoid resting your chin on your hand or holding the phone between your shoulder and ear. Maintain proper posture to alleviate neck and facial pain.
- Keep your teeth slightly apart as much as possible to relieve jaw pressure. Place your tongue on the palate behind your upper front teeth to control clenching or grinding during the day.
- Learn relaxation techniques to help control jaw muscle tension.
Medications for TMJ disorders
These medication options, along with other nonsurgical treatments at Family Dental Care – Crestwood, may help relieve the pain associated with TMJ disorders:
- Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers If over-the-counter pain relievers are ineffective, your doctor or dentist may prescribe stronger pain relievers, such as prescription strength ibuprofen, for a limited time.
- Antidepressants that are tricyclic. These medications, such as amitriptyline, are mostly used to treat depression, but in low doses, they can also be used to treat pain, bruxism, and sleeplessness.
- Relaxants for the muscles. These medications are occasionally used for a few days or a week to help relieve pain caused by TMJ.
