TMJ disorder is a common concern found among people. Jaw pain, and therefore facial pain, can be extremely painful and can impact your daily lifestyle routines. It functions as a hinge-like joint and connects the bones of your upper and lower jaws. When these joints stop working properly or cause you discomfort, it may be a sign of temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ. If you are experiencing any changes in your joints visit a dentist near you and consult about your concern to avoid major complications.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Your jaw and skull are connected by the temporomandibular joint. Thus, TMJ disorders refer to any condition that affects this joint. This causes severe pain in the area surrounding the actual joint, and is typically exacerbated by opening and closing your mouth. It is mostly triggered by problems with the muscles and surrounding joint structures. The severity of this condition varies; some patients experience minor pain and stiffness, while others face challenges to open their mouths to eat.
Symptoms of TMJ
You may have the temporomandibular joint disorder if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Tenderness and pain in your jaw and joints
- Pain in the neck and or shoulders
- Constant feeling of tiredness
- Swollen face
- Pain around your ear
- Difficulty in chewing and swallowing
- Toothaches
- Headache
- Hearing problems
- Locked jaw
- Experiencing clicking or grating sensation when opening and closing your mouth
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider and discuss the issues you are experiencing. Following your visit, your dentist will examine your health to determine if you have TMJ disorder, and recommend you to get TMJ treatment near you.
TMJ Treatment Options
This disorder is treated differently than other oral health issues. Unlike tooth decay or gum disease, you will not require any special procedures. Instead, you will relieve pain through a combination of lifestyle changes, exercising and stretching.
The most important key to pain relief is to relax your muscles, since this condition usually gives rise to severe discomfort caused by extremely tight and stiff jaw muscles. As a result joint movement is restricted and opening your mandible becomes difficult. Relaxing your muscles will allow you to move your jaw more freely.
TMJ Stretches & Relaxation Exercises
Stretching your jaw is relatively simple, and here are some steps you can follow to treat your stiff jaw muscles:
- Keep your jaw relaxed and slowly open your mouth widely. Allow your jaw to hang open for 10-30 seconds and then close it.
- Close your mouth and move your jaw to the right for 10 to 30 seconds before returning it to its original position. Repeat the exercise on the opposite side of your mouth.
It is best to stop immediately and ease off if you encounter severe pain while relaxing your muscles because your TMJ joint may suffer and you may experience increased muscle soreness and tension.
TMJ Strengthening Exercises
The joint’s movement range may be improved by stretches and relaxation. Gaining jaw and muscle strength will keep the pain at bay and stop the further emergence of TMJ issues. The following are some TMJ strengthening exercises:
- Push your thumb and index finger beneath your chin and open your mouth slowly. This allows the TMJ muscle to work harder through resistance exercise.
- Slowly close your mouth, but this time press down with your finger placed between your chin and lips. As you close your jaw, this provides resistance and strengthens the muscle.
In order to manage your movements, it’s crucial to perform these exercises slowly and gently. By doing this, your muscle will become stronger and stop your joint from moving in any lateral direction.
Get Professional TMJ Treatment
You can treat your TMJ issues at home with the help of the aforementioned solutions. It is important to see your doctor and receive medical care if you continue to encounter and suffer from severe jaw and muscular discomfort. To help you with your pain, certain healthcare providers offer TMJ therapy.
You have a wide range of treatment options to manage your TMJ concerns. Visit Radiant dentistry if you want to learn about your TMJ treatment options. Our professionals are happy to help you in addressing your problems and alleviating your discomfort.
Contact our expert Dentist in New Port Richey FL and schedule your appointment.