Millions of people all over the world are dealing with TMJ. TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint which is the joint formed between the upper and lower jaws.  An inflammation or misalignment of this joint and the surrounding muscles can cause headaches, or pain in other parts of the body such as the neck and shoulders.

Most TMJ disorder symptoms are related to simple wear and tear of the jaw. As a joint which receives a great deal of use, the TMJ is active when one is chewing, talking, yawning, singing and performing other like behaviors. Pain for those suffering from TMJ disorder can occur in the ears, sinuses, muscles of the face, neck and shoulders as well as in the jaw itself.

The majority of TMJ disorder cases are mild, happening infrequently and with pain that comes and goes on its own and typically does not last more than a day or two. More severe cases can bring extreme pain that can last for weeks or months either continuously or in frequent bouts. These are the times when people ask, is there a TMJ pain treatment?

Treatment options are numerous and they begin with prevention. They include methods of strengthening the TMJ and expanding its field of motion, determining what to eat and how to ease the TMJ pain. More and more TMJ pain treatments are being found as the days progress. Laid out plainly, TMJ pain treatments are pain medication, muscle relaxants, application of dental splints, bite therapy, warm compresses and soft diet.

When TMJ pain strikes, it is mainly that the joint is inflamed and the muscles are strained. Pain medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen, together with muscle relaxants, have been successful in easing the pain of and tension on the TMJ. A dentist who diagnoses a patient with TMJ disorder may fit them with a type of mouth guard called a dental splint to wear while they are asleep. These are protectors made of soft plastic which are fitted to cover the upper and lower teeth.

Such use prohibits any additional dislocation or tension on the TMJ by stopping the grinding of the teeth unconsciously at night or by preventing the clenching of the teeth. The dental splint is custom fitted to each individual patient to ensure a proper fit that will lessen the strain on the muscles surrounding the joint

TMJ therapy, also known as bite therapy, may used to determine the root cause of the patient’s condition. By performing an extensive analysis of the mouth and jaw, bite therapy identifies the exact cause of the condition so that treatment may be targeted toward a specific issue which is causing the pain, such as habitual jaw clenching, habitual gum chewing or an uneven bite.

Some patients find relief by applying warm compresses to the areas of discomfort around the jaw, neck and shoulders. Soaking a hand towel in warm water and placing it over the painful spots for 15 to 20 minutes at a time will enhance the blood flow to the area which can ease the pain. The dentist may also recommend a diet of soft foods for a time to lessen the workload on the joint. Not overworking the TMJ and not straining the muscles excessively will help in avoiding the pain.

My research has shown that many people find exercises such as those offered by TMJ No More, to be the most effective remedy for TMJ pain.

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