Basically, TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. In this condition, you can feel pain in your jaw joints because they are affected and have problems chewing. If this condition is left incurred, it leads to pain in the head, ear, and jaw areas. So, it is important to know about the cure and treatment of TMJ. If you manage the symptoms, it can give long term relief.
In this article, you can learn about the TMJ cure. It is done by changing the lifestyle to advance medical procedures. Here, we provide different techniques that help to reduce the pain, enhance jaw function, and make life better.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular is a hinge joint that plays a role by connecting your lower jaw with the skull. It helps you with different movements like opening and closing of mouth, chewing, and speaking. In case inflammation occurs in this joint, it produces a painful condition known as TMJ disorder.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
The symptoms of TMJ can change from person to person. Some of them are given below:
- Jaw pain: You can feel mild or severe pain, which mostly occurs in the jaw joint, connected muscles, and the temples, which mostly leads to migraines.
- Difficulty chewing: You may experience pain or difficulty chewing food, especially tougher foods.
- Jaw clicking or popping: People affected by TMJ may experience a clicking or popping sound when they open and close their mouths.
- Limited jaw movement: You may not be able to open your mouth as wide as usual.
- Headaches and earaches: TMJ disorder can sometimes cause headaches or earaches.
- Facial pain: Pain may be felt in the face, neck, or shoulders.
Causes of TMJ Pain
The real problem that causes TMJ disorder is unknown. But some factors that are reasons behind its cause are given below:
- Injury to the jaw: If you get any injury or pass through a dental procedure, it will affect the joint.
- Grinding or clenching teeth (bruxism): If you are affected by these habits, they can put pressure on the jaw joint, which leads to inflammation and causes pain.
- Arthritis: Arthritis leads to TMJ joint disorder by causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
- Stress: Emotional stress can lead to muscle tension, which can contribute to TMJ pain.
- Poor posture: Poor posture can strain the neck and jaw muscles, exacerbating TMJ symptoms.
- Misaligned bite: An improper bite can put extra stress on the jaw joint.
Treatment Options for TMJ
Here are some of the most common treatment options for TMJ:
Lifestyle Modifications
Simple lifestyle changes can often help alleviate TMJ symptoms. These include:
- Stress Management: Making a daily routine of exercises like yoga, meditation, or taking deep breaths will help you lower stress and muscle tension.
- Dietary Changes: Do not eat foods that are hard to chew. Reduce gum chewing because it puts pressure on the jaw joint.
- Posture Correction: Maintaining good posture can help release pressure on the neck and jaw muscles.
- Sleep Habits: Using a supportive pillow can help maintain proper head and neck alignment during sleep.
Dental Interventions
Dental treatments will help to handle the TMJ symptoms. Following are given below:
- Mouthguards: If you wear a well fitted mouthguard, it can help to protect your teeth and reduce jaw clenching at night.
- Dental Adjustments: Most of the cases show that minor adjustments like bites, such as dental fillings, can improve your oral health and reduce TMJ symptoms.
Physical Therapy
The best TMJ cure is physical therapy, and it can strengthen your jaw muscles and improve their working. If you are confused about therapy, then visit the physical therapist, who will teach you every single exercise that helps to reduce the TMJ symptoms.
Medications
Taking various painkillers and muscle relaxants can help you to manage the pain and lower the muscle tension. If the problem is severe, your doctor will give you high dose medicines.
Injections
Injections are used to reduce the pain and inflammation; these include:
- Corticosteroid Injections: Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation in the joint.
- Botox Injections: Botox can help relax the jaw muscles and reduce pain.
Surgery
Most cases need surgery, and its important to make the structural problems right in the jaw joint. Here are the options for surgery:
- Arthroscopy: This is the procedure in which doctors repair the damaged tissue.
- Open-Joint Surgery: If the problem gets severe and cannot be handled with cure or treatment, then this procedure is done.
Natural Remedies for TMJ Relief
Stress Management Techniques
Stress plays the main role in increasing TMJ symptoms by causing muscle tension in the jaw. If you apply stress reducing techniques in your daily routine, it can help to lower the pain and enhance oral health. Here are some effective ways to do this:
- Meditation and Mindfulness: If you follow meditation regularly and do mind-relaxing exercises, these steps will help you reduce your stress.
- Yoga and Tai Chi: Try exercises like yoga or Tai Chi because they can relax the body and mind.
- Deep Breathing Exercises: Taking deep breaths can reduce stress and anxiety.
Dietary Adjustments
Certain dietary changes can help alleviate TMJ symptoms:
- Avoid Chewing Gum: In case you are facing grinding or other issues, avoid chewing gum because it causes strain in the jaw joint.
- Limit Hard-to-Chew Foods: Do not eat harder food items that need chewing and put pressure on the jaw.
- Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help lubricate the joint and reduce discomfort.
- Consider a Nutrient-Rich Diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support overall health and well-being.
Physical Therapy and Exercises
Physical therapy can play the best role and provide relief from the TMJ pain. Here are a few therapies mentioned, but the best thing is to ask your therapist to give you a suggestion:
- Jaw Stretching: When you slowly open and close your mouth, it can relax your jaw muscles.
- Jaw Strengthening Exercises: Band resistance exercise helps to make the jaw muscles stronger.
- Massage Therapy: Massage therapy can help relax the muscles around the jaw joint.
Advanced Therapies for TMJ
If someone does not get relief through treatments, then there are modern therapies that give surety for finishing the problem.
Botox Injections for TMJ
The botox injection became famous because it saved from the surgeries and treated the TMJ problem. Here, the muscles are temporarily paralyzed to control jaw movement. Botox helps to free muscle tension and reduce pain.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
PRP stands for Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, which is done by injecting concentrated platelets into affected muscles. These platelets release growth factors that improve tissue repair and healing. Reduce the inflammation and pain in the TMJ joint.
Can TMJ Be Cured Permanently?
If we talk about the TMJ cure, it does not give a guarantee, but mostly, people can get relief through both treatment and cure. When managing the TMJ problem, you have to find and fix the main cause.
Emerging Treatments on the Horizon
The field of TMJ is always changing. Researchers are discovering various treatment methods:
- Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cell therapy can treat damaged tissue by helping it regenerate and reduce inflammation.
- Neuromodulation Techniques: Some drugs can stimulate nerves, which helps to regulate muscle activity and lower the pain level.
- Advanced Dental Procedures: New methods, including orthognathic surgery, may be helpful in severe cases of TMJ.
Conclusion
TMJ is a common disorder that causes irritation and pain in your mouth. The TMJ cure is important because if it is left untreated, you get serious problems. Understanding the causes, cure, and treatment helps to manage this disorder earlier and have a peaceful life.