Did you wake up one day with unexplained jaw pain? Have you been dealing with jaw problems for your entire life? You may be suffering from TMJ.
If so, you’re not alone. According to the Cleveland Clinic, between five and 12 percent of the population has some sort of TMJ disorder.
The good news? If you believe you have TMJ, there is help available. Read on to learn all about TMJ, the types of TMJ treatment, and how you can find TMJ treatment in Woodbridge.
What is TMJ?
Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the jaw joint that connects your lower jawbone with the rest of your skull. The TMJ joint helps you with functions such as:
- Speaking
- Swallowing
- Chewing
TMJ is often hereditary. If you have a parent with TMJ, there’s a good chance that you may suffer from the same condition.
In addition, women are twice as likely to have TMJ. Another risk factor is age: patients between 20 and 40 are most likely to develop symptoms of TMJ.
The symptoms of TMJ can vary from person to person. However, there are some key issues to look out for:
- Jaw and facial pain: Unexplained pain in your jaw or the muscles and ligaments connected to your jaw.
- Shoulder and neck pain: The tension in your jaw can cause pain in the surrounding muscles and joints.
- Problems opening and closing your mouth: You may struggle with fully opening your mouth.
- Tinnitus: TMJ can affect the nerves of the ear, causing ringing sounds.
- Sleep apnea: Teeth grinding and jaw muscles moving during sleep can cause an obstructed airway.
- Jaw popping or clicking: The joints make a pop or click when you open and close your mouth.
- Headaches and migraines: Nerve compression and muscle tension surrounding your jaw joint can cause headaches.
- Toothache: Teeth grinding and muscle tension can cause pain in the teeth.
- Malocclusion: Your teeth don’t fit together properly.
If you have any of the above symptoms, it’s important to consult with a specialist right away. TMJ specialists in Woodbridge can evaluate your jaw and diagnose the disorder before providing jaw pain solutions.
Types of TMJ Treatment
There are many types of treatment for TMJ, ranging from minimally invasive holistic methods to major solutions. Here are some of the most common treatment approaches for TMJ.
Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment can be one of the most effective jaw pain solutions. If the source of the pain is malocclusion, or misaligned teeth, orthodontics can shift the alignment and relieve some of the tension.
Some of the most popular orthodontic treatments include traditional braces and clear aligners.
Traditional braces tend to be cheaper, and they can tackle a wide variety of issues. Your orthodontist may also incorporate headgear or other hardware to shift your bite into place more quickly.
Clear aligners are a better option if you want something more aesthetically pleasing. However, clear aligners can’t tackle major bite problems, so you may not be eligible for this method.
Botox Injections
Botox isn’t just for treating wrinkles in your face. Botox injections can actually relieve pain associated with TMJ.
Injecting Botox into the jaw muscles can temporarily relax them, reducing tension and pain. Everyone’s response is different, but you can expect the results to last around three to six months.
One drawback of Botox is that it doesn’t offer a permanent solution. You’ll have to continue treatment to have consistent relief from TMJ pain.
Stress Management
Stress can be a major factor that leads to muscle tension, especially in the jaw. When you get stressed, you may find yourself clenching your teeth together or flexing your jaw, which can cause TMJ.
Incorporate stress management techniques into your daily routine, including:
- Meditation and mindfulness
- Deep breathing
- Regular exercise
- Limited screen time
- Challenging negative self-talk
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist can create a personalized TMJ therapy plan to help you with your unique symptoms. They may recommend the following:
- Massaging your jaw to encourage mobilization
- Avoiding destructive habits like clenching teeth and chewing gum
- Strengthening the muscles around the jaw
- Correcting posture to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders
Jaw Exercises
Make exercising your jaw a part of your daily routine. Even just slowly opening and closing your jaw can help to strengthen the joints and muscles and relieve tension from TMJ.
Wiggle your jaw by moving it from side to side. Then, create a chin tuck by pulling your chin back to stabilize the muscles and improve your posture.
Surgery
If you have tried a variety of jaw pain solutions and still have TMJ pain, surgery may be your best option. Some of the types of surgery for TMJ include:
- Arthrocentesis: Needles wash out debris and other causes of inflammation.
- Open joint surgery: The joint is opened for reposition or repair.
- Total joint replacement: For extreme cases, the jaw joint is completely replaced with a prosthetic version.
Mouthguards
A mouthguard is an appliance you put in before you go to sleep at night. It protects your teeth from grinding and clenching, which is one of the main causes of TMJ.
Although you can get store-bought mouth guards, they may not be as effective as a custom solution. Consider getting a mouthguard from your dentist in Woodbridge that is molded specifically to your bite.
Over-the-Counter Medications
For regular pain management, you may have to use over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Although these can provide short-term relief, it’s important to monitor your intake.
If you find yourself using over-the-counter pain management frequently for your TMJ, you may need to consider a different solution.
Consider TMJ Treatment in Woodbridge
If you have TMJ, you shouldn’t have to suffer any longer. With this guide, you can determine which treatment solution is best for your needs and start the path to a pain-free life.
For TMJ treatment in Woodbridge, look no further than Perry Dental Health. Our team of experts can provide in-house care that tackles TMJ pain holistically.
Are you ready to take the next step for your oral health? Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment at our office in Woodbridge, NJ. We can’t wait to hear from you!