Jaime HayChronic jaw pain, migraines, or headaches can be related to Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disease. Your TMJ helps you accomplish crucial functions like speaking, chewing, and biting. It can significantly affect your life when inflamed, but TMJ Treatment Jasper specialists can help. It would help if you never waited for TMJ pain to disappear since it can only worsen over time. Also, the joint connects your skull and jaw, and several factors can contribute to complications. An accurate diagnosis helps us understand the right way to find relief. Here are some steps you can take to overcome TMJ pain.
Identify Your Symptoms
It is important to note down all the symptoms you are experiencing concerning TMJ disease. Pain in the joints and muscles is the most common but not the only symptom. You can also experience pain in your shoulders and neck, chronic headaches, locking of the jaw, ringing in the ears, and stiffness in the jaw muscles. Also, you can experience limitation of jaw movements, pain, pressure in the ear, bite issues, and painful popping or clicking of the jaw when the mouth moves.
Evaluate the Cause of Your Symptoms
Understanding the cause of your symptoms helps you understand the best way to manage them. Your TMJ acts like a hinge and has cartilage like a shock absorber. The cartilages have discs that can be damaged by arthritis, infection, injury or get out of alignment, causing painful symptoms. You can also experience pain due to clicking when chewing, speaking, or biting. Additionally, some people with TMJ endure chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, low back pain, and fibromyalgia.
Seek Expert Diagnosis
Before treating your TMJ pain at home, you must seek an expert diagnosis. See your doctor immediately to evaluate your symptoms and get to the root of your problem. Your doctor will first confirm or exclude certain serious causes of TMJ pain for advanced treatments. Conditions like ear infections, dental complications, and bone disease or tumors can cause TMJ pain and require special care. Work with your doctor to design a treatment plan based on your unique needs. Your doctor will also guide you on self-treatment when your TMJ pain is manageable at home.
Managing TMJ at Home
Mild cases of TMJ pain can be effectively managed at home. Your doctor can guide you on the steps you need to take to find relief. You can try chewing foods that are easy to chew, such as rice, eggs, soups, and soft fruits. Also, you can employ heat and cold therapies to see which provides pain relief. Also, minimize unnecessary pressure on your jaw. Consult your doctor also about doing jaw exercises.
Medications
Talk to your doctor about over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs for your TMJ pain. Some ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen can help overcome TMJ pain. Your doctor can also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and pain medications when your pain persists. However, medications are often secondary since they only provide temporal pain relief. Lifestyle adjustments are crucial in finding long-term pain relief. Remember to follow your doctor’s guidelines strictly.
You do not have to endure TMJ pain in silence. Talk to the Advanced Dental Care of East Texas specialists for help. Call today or get online to request a consultation appointment and learn more.
Hugh Hay
