Tips on How to Treat Mouth Pain
Do you have oral pain and want to know what the cause is? TMJ may be the culprit if you experience the following symptoms:
- Tooth pain (that dissipates as the day progresses)
- Jaw pain
- Popping or locking of the jaw
- Difficulty or pain when you chew
- Headaches
Visit a Brandon dentist as soon as possible for a proper diagnosisusing:
- Dental X-rays
- CT scan
- MRI
What is TMJ
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. When this joint and its surrounding muscles become inflamed it can cause a variety of symptoms.
Are you wondering what causes TMJ? Well, there is more than one cause, including:
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Clenching
- Trauma or injury
- Improper bite
Treatment
Your Brandon dentist will usually recommend combining more than one treatment option at the same time.
Medication is a non-surgical treatment for TMJ. The following medications can relieve pain:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatories: Talk to your doctor if you feel over-the-counter pain medications are not effective. They can prescribe stronger pain relievers like prescription strength ibuprofen.
- Muscle relaxants: This is used temporarily over the course of a few days or weeks. It helps to relieve the pain caused by muscle spasms.
Therapies
Physical therapy: Treatments such as ultrasound, moist heat, and ice, stretch and strengthen jaw muscles.
Counseling: Speaking with a professional can help you to understand what factors trigger your behavior, causing you pain. For example, teeth clenching, grinding and leaning on your chin.
Surgical Procedures for TMJ Pain
There is no reason why you should suffer in silence, visit your Brandon dental clinic for your TMJ issues. Depending on your case, your dentist will find the right solution. This includes:
- Arthrocentesis: This procedure is minimally invasive. Your Brandon dentist will insert small needles into your joint. This allows the fluid in your joint to flow so debris and inflammatory by-products are eliminated.
- TMJ arthroscopy: This is an open-joint surgery to treat various types of TMJ disorders. A cannula is a thin small tube that is inserted into the joint space. Your Brandon dentist will then insert an arthroscope and small surgical instruments.
- Modified condylotomy: Your dentist will use this surgery to treat pain and locking. It entails surgery on the mandible, but not in the joint itself.
- Open-joint surgery: This is recommended when other treatments have not been effective at reducing your jaw pain. An arthrotomy repairs or replaces your joint.
A Dental Solution to Settle TMJ Pain
- A custom-made night guard: If you suffer from bruxism (nighttime grinding) your dentist can design a custom-made night guard. Wearing this will protect your teeth from excessive pressure and alleviate symptoms.
- Botox: This is an ideal solution. Regardless of what the root cause is, Botox provides immediate relief. You can live pain-free for as long as four months after one single session.
- Lasers: Water Lase is used to treat dental conditions related to TMJ. There is no need for traditional needles and dental drills when using this innovative technology.
At-Home Care
Become aware of your behaviors. For example, when do you notice you clench your jaw or grind your teeth the most? Asking yourself simple questions like the one above will help reduce the frequency of your habits.
Consider the following tips also:
- Avoid the overuse of your jaw muscles: Avoid sticky or chewy foods.
- Stretch and massage your jaw: Ask your Brandon dentist to show you jaw stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Apply heat or cold to your face: Appling heat or ice to your face can alleviate pain.
Seek Treatment
If you feel as though temporomandibular disorder is the cause of your mouth pain, visit a Brandon dentist. They can determine a treatment plan so that you can live pain-free again.
