Causes:
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a jaw or chewing muscles problems. Studies indicated the following as being the main causes of this syndrome.
Bruxism (grinding of the teeth);
Injury to the jaws following an accident or a trauma;
Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis at the TMJ level;
Stress.
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary from discomfort to extreme pain that can last many years and are more frequent for women aged between 20 and 40.
Pain to the face, head, in the area of the joint, neck, shoulders, or ears while chewing;
Limited occlusion;
Lock jaw;
Cracking jaw;
Inflammation of the face TMJ area;
Hearing problems.
Treatments:
Repeat the following procedure three times a day:
Apply a cold ice pack on the TMJ area for 5min.
Follow by gently opening and closing the mouth for 3 min.
Conclude by applying a hot compress for 5min.
Eat soft foods that will avoid stress on the TMJ area (i.e. yogurt, purée, cottage cheese, soup, fish, cooked fruits, and cooked vegetables;
Avoid hard food or those that require opening the mouth very wide;
Taking anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Your dentist can prescribe effective medication in cases that are more severe;
For cases of bruxism (grinding of teeth) we recommend you wear a bite splint, which will prevent the upper teeth from touching the lower teeth;
Correct malocclusion of teeth, with orthodontic treatments, to lessen the daily trauma on the joint;
Replace missing teeth with bridges, implants, or partials;
Avoiding exaggerated yawning or constant gum chewing;
Reducing stress;
Surgery to be considered only when all the other treatments have failed.
Stop the pain and cracking of your jaw
Contact us to book your appointment and start your journey to a healthier mouth!
