How Do I Get Pain Relief For My TMJ?

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a jaw condition that can cause extreme discomfort. TMJ symptoms often interfere with patients' ability to eat, sleep, and relax.

If you have TMJ and seek symptom relief, you have several options. This blog will explain the condition and share pain relief methods to help alleviate your discomfort.

About TMJ

The acronym TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint. This crucial joint attaches the lower jaw or mandible to the skull. It is a sliding hinge joint and is among the most complex in the human body. Due to the joint's integration with muscles in the face, head, and jaw, any dysfunction can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.

TMJ Symptoms

• Tenderness or pain in the jaw
• Pain in one or both TMJ joints
• Difficulty chewing
• Painful chewing
• Pain near or in the ears
• Jaw locking
• Neck pain
• Headache
• Facial or eye pain
• Toothache accompanied by jaw tenderness

Causes of TMJ

TMJ disorder does not always have a clear cause. It can occur without any precursors and sometimes goes away on its own. However, certain medical conditions, habits, and emotional states can bring on symptoms in vulnerable patients:

• Traumatic jaw injury, such as a car accident
• Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the joint
• Joint derangement or disc problems
• Personal habits like gum chewing and nail-biting
• Bruxism (chronic teeth grinding or clenching)
• Stress and tension
• Sleep disturbances
• Smoking

Pain Relief Options for TMJ

Self-Care Methods

Home care is often the most effective treatment method for TMJ. Home care recommendations include:

• Apply warm or cold compresses as your dentist or physician recommends
• Eating a softer diet during flare-ups
• Avoiding chewing gum or fingernails
• Reducing or eliminating teeth-grinding
• Stress reduction, including talk therapy, meditation, yoga, and progressive relaxation

Custom Oral Appliances

Wearing a custom oral appliance at night helps to reduce symptoms by preventing teeth clenching and allowing the jaw to rest. Greater Essex Dental prescribes these innovative devices.

Physical Therapy

Many patients benefit from guided jaw exercises and stretching, along with moist heat.

Medications

Muscle relaxants (short-term use) and over-the-counter pain relievers may help. Some physicians also prescribe tricyclic antidepressants.

Surgery

Surgery is generally a last resort for TMJ, as the condition responds well to supportive therapies in most patients. However, if the condition occurs due to physical joint damage or arthritis, surgery may be appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ

How do custom oral appliances work for TMJ?

Custom oral appliances reposition the jaw and hold it in a comfortable resting position. These appliances can reduce muscle tension and alleviate painful symptoms.

What is the connection between stress and TMJ?

Many patients dealing with stress in their personal or professional lives present with TMJ symptoms. Teeth clenching, grinding, and overall muscle tension are part of the body's natural response to stress. When the muscles connected to the TMJ joint become overworked and inflamed, symptoms often result.

Contact Greater Essex Dental

If you have symptoms of this debilitating condition, don't wait to get help. TMJ relief is within reach. Please contact us at our Merrimac, MA, office to schedule a consultation today.