Temporomandibular joint disorder is called TMJ or sometimes TMD. TMJ is a potentially painful condition affecting your temporomandibular joints.
These are the joints that hinge your lower jaw to your skull. When these joints work smoothly, they allow you to move your lower jaw without pain or discomfort. If they become inflamed, it can cause a range of symptoms.
What Can Cause TMJ?
Several different factors can cause TMJ. These include:
- Arthritis.
- Teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism).
- Injury to your jaw joints.
- Stress.
- Misaligned teeth.
What Are the Signs of TMJ?
Symptoms of TMJ can include the following.
- Difficulty opening your mouth.
- Difficulty moving your jaw from side to side.
- Difficulty chewing sticky or very hard foods.
- Your jaw clicks or pops when you talk, eat or even yawn.
- Tinnitus or ear pain.
- Loss of hearing.
- Chronic headaches.
Some people may find the symptoms of TMJ in Oshawa are temporary and that they go away completely at some point. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.
If your jaw feels painful or inflamed, it is worth seeing us to get a proper diagnosis.
How Is TMJ Diagnosed?
When you visit Margolian Dentistry, we can gently assess your jaws. We will want to check how your teeth bite together and if there are any signs of problems like misaligned teeth or bruxism in Whitby.
Our dentist may wish to take digital dental X-rays like a cone beam CT scan. A cone beam CT scan provides a clear 3-D view of your jaw joints. The image can show if there is any damage to the temporomandibular joints and, if so, the severity.
How Is TMJ Treated?
Treatment will depend on the cause of your TMJ in Ajax. Possible options include treatment to realign your bite or a custom night splint for bruxism.
However, several factors may be involved. Therefore, our treatment plan could recommend dental care solutions in collaboration with other health practitioners like chiropractors, cranio-mandibular specialists, or massage therapists.
Are There Any Treatments I Can Try at Home?
There are some home remedies you can try to help relieve the pain of TMJ while receiving professional treatment. These can include the following.
Use a Hot or Cold Compress
Moist heat applied to the outside of your face can help relax painful jaw joints and facial muscles. It helps increase blood flow to the area. A hot compress can be useful in the morning.
Alternatively, using an ice pack wrapped in a towel can help reduce swelling or pain last thing at night. It can help reduce any swelling that has built up throughout the day.
You shouldn’t use a hot or cold compress any longer than 20 minutes, and you must always ensure it is wrapped in a towel and not applied to your skin directly.
Avoid Certain Foods
While you receive professional treatment for your TMJ, avoiding certain foods that place more stress on your jaws can be useful.
Foods to avoid are those that are very hard or crunchy. It’s also worth avoiding chewing gum since the constant chewing action places continual force on your jaw joints.
Instead, think about foods that are easier to chew, such as well-cooked vegetables, yogurt, mashed potatoes and Mac and cheese.
Manage Any Stress
Modern life can be stressful and can cause conditions like bruxism, where you clench and grind during sleep. If you feel stressed, try incorporating some calming activities into your everyday life. These could include meditation, yoga or regular massages.
