TMJ Treatment
TMJ treatment involves a wide range of noninvasive, self-managed home therapies and medications. Physicians typically recommend starting with conservative treatments and moving to more invasive options only when a patient hasn’t had success with the less-invasive ones.
TMD is a condition that affects the joint in your jaw, called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When this joint is healthy, you can open and close your mouth smoothly and easily without pain or clicking sounds. When this joint is irritated, however, the symptoms can be severe. They can include headaches, earaches, neck pain or back pain, and trouble opening your mouth or chewing. The symptoms can also interfere with sleep or daily activities.
TMJ Treatment: Relief for Jaw Pain and Dysfunction
The most common cause of TMD is stress, but a bad bite, dental work, teeth grinding, or jaw misalignment can also contribute. Symptoms often worsen when you eat chewy or crunchy foods, chew gum, open your mouth for a big bite or try to clench your teeth.
Home treatments are typically the first step in TMJ treatment, and can be very effective. You can relieve the symptoms by applying ice to the area, eating soft foods and avoiding chomping down on tough foods, and doing jaw-stretching exercises. You can also try a warm water rinse or an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. Your doctor may also prescribe a muscle relaxer or an antidepressant, which can change how your body interprets pain. If you are experiencing extreme TMJ pain, a minor procedure called an arthrocentesis can help. Your doctor will inject a steroid into the jaw joint to reduce inflammation and improve movement.…
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