Treaments for TMJ: What is Temporomandibular joint syndrome?
Hey there, Mick here talking about teeth grinding and treatments for TMJ. Many people may suffer from TMJ (tempromandibular joint) syndrome, but do not realize that they have this condition. Today we’re going to take a quick look at the basics of TMJ then you’ll just click on the links below to learn more about its causes, treatments and prevention. All jokes aside, TMJ can be a real pain in the neck I hope these articles help you find the relief you need.
The tempromandibular joint is a joint that connects the jaw bone to the skull. Movement of this joint occurs during talking, eating, and when making facial expressions. Because the tempromandibular joint is used very frequently and often time great stresses are placed on the joint, there are a variety of factors that can cause pain at this joint.
Tempromandibular joint syndrome caused by one of a combination of factors can lead to chronic pain in the area of the tempromandibular joint and can even lead to neck and head pain, difficulty eating and even pain in the shoulders. Causes can include problem in the alignment of the joint itself, pain caused by overexertion of the muscles that move the joint such as that caused by grinding the teeth, and destruction of the joint caused by a disease such as arthritis.
If you suspect that you have tempromandibular joint syndrome, then you should see your doctor as a serious underlying medical condition could also be the cause of your tempromandibular joint syndrome.
Immediate treatment of tempromandibular joint syndrome pain may include aspirin, muscle relaxants, and warming of the jaw muscles. Your doctor may recommend that you eat soft foods, don’t grind your teeth or clench your jaw, and don’t chew gum to decrease stress placed on the tempromandibular joint. If this does not help with your tempromandibular joint pain, then injections of anesthetics or steroids may also be tried. Reducing your daily psychological stress may also help a patient to decrease tempromandibular joint pain.
If this conservative treatment does not provide sufficient relief, then you doctor may refer you to a surgeon who has experience with tempromandibular joint syndrome surgeries. A variety of surgical procedures exist which may involve removing material from the joint space, to trying to reconstruct the joint. Surgery should only be considered as a last option after conservative treatment has failed because the joint surgery may fail to provide relief or cause serious complications.
By working with your physician, you should be able to find a treatment strategy that helps reduce the pain of tempromandibular joint syndrome.
If you want to learn more about TMJ and how to stop all of that painful teeth grinding you need to click this link now.
If you want to read more about teeth grinding check out these articles:
What is Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome
How to Stop Grinding Your Teeth
Treat Your Teeth Grinding and Bruxism