Pain from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and muscle disorders is often considered one of the most challenging ailments to live with. Whether it shows up in the form of jaw pain, ear pain, neck pain or headaches, you never really know when it will strike and how intense it will be.
What is TMD?
At its core, TMJ disorder or TMD is a disorder of the jaw muscles or joint.
For a quick anatomy lesson:
Your jaw is attached to your skull by a ball and socket joint that holds a small disc of cartilage. This region of your body is used so frequently (for talking, eating and opening your mouth in general) that it is highly vulnerable. Because of this constant movement, the joints and muscles frequently swell or endure other damages.
For some people, TMD only lasts for a few weeks or months before it resolves itself; however, the pain can also haunt someone for forever.
If you are one of the millions of people suffering from TMD, here are five steps to (finally) get relief from it.
1. Diagnose and understand it.
TMD symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Clicking or grating noises
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Difficulty chewing
- A change in how your teeth fit together or in your facial expression
- Restricted movement in the region
The American Association for Dental Research suggests that an analysis of TMD should be done by a professional. It should also include both a clinical examination of the head and neck and a thorough understanding of a patient’s history. In addition, blood tests should be done to ensure there is no other medical condition at the root of the pain.
More common in women ages 20 to 40 than men of any age, TMD can be incredibly uncomfortable and affect many parts of your daily routine.
2. Talk with a an experienced dentist about options.
Once you believe you are suffering from the condition, it is essential to talk to a dentist with experience in TMD about it. Someone with thorough knowledge of the condition will be well equipped to discuss the range of options available to you and can guide you through whichever strategies you opt to use.
If you speculate that you have TMD, speak with your primary care physician or a dentist that concentrates on the treatment of TMD.
The approach you take will hinge on the severity of the pain you are experiencing and how long you have been dealing with symptoms. If the pain gets unbearable, go to your trusted emergency dentist.
3. Try home remedies
Generally, specialists will first advise patients to try home remedies to combat TMD pain. Most people find that these exercises and strategies massively decrease pain.
These home remedies include:
- Hot and cold compresses: Applying warm compresses over the appropriate regions for 10 minutes, twice a day, can help the muscles to decompress. Using compresses as a preventive measure can reduce symptoms.
On the other hand, applying ice to the region can reduce muscle spasm and has a numbing effect on the pain.
- Gentle massage: Multiple times a day (every five hours or so), take 30 seconds to massage your jaw and temple muscles gently. While massaging in a circular motion, open and close your jaw slowly.
- Anti-inflammatories at regular intervals for a day or two can help if you are able and comfortable taking these.
Additionally, treatments such as physical therapy and massage can be beneficial for those suffering from TMD.
4. Explore newer treatment options
If at-home remedies fail to help ease the pain, there are newer treatment options that are a step before invasive surgery.
Botox injections are being used more frequently to treat TMD pain, as they work well in alleviating the underlying muscle spasms that can produce the pain of TMD.
Furthermore, some TMD specialists are administering corticosteroid injections into the joint itself to decrease inflammation and contribute to TMD pain relief.
5. Consider surgery
Last but not least, surgery is always an option. However, as the majority of patients do not require surgery, doctors usually leave it as the final option.
If it does reach this point, either an arthroscopic procedure or a full open-joint surgery can allow a surgeon to repair or replace a severely damaged joint.
Final Thoughts
Because there is a broad array of causes and symptoms of TMD, it can be an incredibly frustrating and complicated condition to experience. Too many people get deeply discouraged after trying one treatment option and still experiencing pain.
While this is understandable, in reality, it just takes a little bit of time to understand what options work individually for you.
By working with a professional, being diligent with your at-home remedies, and patient with yourself and your body, you will be able to manage your symptoms and (hopefully) completely heal them.