What are the Treatments for TMJ Pain

TMJ refers to a disorder in the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the skull. This joint, which is located directly under the ears on either side of the face, is responsible for the opening and closing of the mouth. People who suffer from TMJ disorder may have difficulty talking, smiling, yawning, laughing and eating - all necessary daily functions. TMJ can therefore have serious implications for the quality of life of the sufferer. For this reason, TMJ treatments should be undertaken as soon as symptoms begin to surface.

Treating TMJ is an imprecise science; at this point in time, there is no single, universally agreed upon solution or cure to the disorder. The best approach is to try a number of different treatment methods
until you find the ones that work best for you. When the pain initially begins, your first instinct may be to turn to pain medication for relief. Indeed, the right pain medication, whether over-the-counter or prescription, can be invaluable in providing relief for a milder case of TMJ. However, medications offer only a temporary break from the discomfort of TMJ without treating the root cause of the problem; therefore, they are not a viable long-term treatment solution. If your TMJ pain is localized, another short-term option for relief is the application of hot compresses or even ice packs. The use of heat or ice on a sore area will soothe or constrict the muscles, leading to a temporary lull in the pain. However, like medication, these options do not offer any lasting solution, and therefore should
not be viewed as actual treatments for TMJ.

The pain of TMJ can also be treated by certain basic self-care practices, such as avoiding hard or chewy foods, abstaining from chewing gum, and taking care not to open the mouth very wide when yawning or laughing. Such avoidance techniques may spare you from pain for a while, but over time your TMJ may worsen or progress. Some people have found luck through more holistic methods, such as vitamin supplements and massage techniques. One popular massage technique to relieve TMJ involves gently probing the masseter muscles on either side of the jaw with your fingers. You may also want to apply gentle pressure to the jaw muscles inside your mouth, and to any tender places on your face, neck or shoulders. Mouth guards, also known as splints, are another solution that can prove useful for TMJ sufferers.

These splints or guards, which have been used to relief mouth and jaw pain for decades, work by keeping the jaw relaxed in order to prevent activities like jaw clenching and tooth grinding. Again, all of these practices can be helpful for immediate relief, but they simply don’t compare to seeking actual treatment for the root problem.

In the end, there is only one proven treatment method for permanent relief from TMJ pain: Seeking the help of a professional TMJ specialist. Dr. Eddie Siman of Millennium Dentistry in Sherman Oaks, CA is one of the most highly regarded experts in TMJ relief and neuromuscular dentistry. If you want lasting freedom from your TMJ disorder, contact Millennium Dental today.