Tmj Pain Relief
Temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders are a cluster of medical conditions that cause the jaw joint to be sore and painful. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull, which is located in front of the ear on both sides of the head. The TMJ allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side. These movements are important for functions like talking, chewing food, and yawning.
TMJ disorders are often divided into myofascial pain, internal derangement of the joint, and arthritis. Myofascial pain is the most common TMJ disorder and occurs when the muscles that control the jaw are sore or tender. Causes of myofascial pain are unknown. Internal derangement occurs when the joint becomes injured due to a blow to the jaw. The TMJ disorder may occur if the jaw is dislocated, a disc is displaced, or the rounded ends of the lower jaw are damaged as a result of the injury. Arthritis may also affect the TMJ. A patient may have one or more of these TMJ disorders, which may affect one or both sides of the jaw.
It’s unknown how many people have TMJ disorders, but these disorders occur more often in women than men, in individuals who are 20-40 years old.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders vary among patients. These symptoms include pain and soreness of the jaw, pain in and around the ear, facial pain, an uneven bite or change in the way the lower and upper teeth fit together, jaw muscle stiffness, a clicking sound or grating sensation when the mouth is opened and closed headache, tired facial muscles, and locking of the joint, which may temporarily limit the movement of the jaw. Some patients may experience mild and temporary pain, while others may experience severe pain that may last for several years.
There are some cases where the symptoms of a TMJ disorder may go without treatment. If they continue over time most experts agree that treatment should begin with traditional, nonsurgical therapies to provide TMJ pain relief. These include the use of hot or cold packs, eating soft foods, avoiding overuse of the jaw muscles, night guards, biteplates, and/or anti-inflammatory medications. However, if these treatments do not provide TMJ pain relief, a healthcare provider or dentist may recommend corrective dental treatment, medications called corticosteroids, arthrocentesis (removal of fluid from a joint), or surgery. These procedures may worsen symptoms of TMJ disorders (corrective surgery) as well as cause easy bruising, thinning of bones, cataracts, weight gain, a round face, and diabetes (corticosteroid drugs).
Persons are advised to make lifestyle changes to avoid behaviours that may contribute to the development of TMJ disorders.
Temporomandibular joint or TMJ disorders are a cluster of medical conditions that cause the jaw joint to be sore and painful. The TMJ connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull, which is located in front of the ear on both sides of the head. The TMJ allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side. These movements are important for functions like talking, chewing food, and yawning.
TMJ disorders are often divided into myofascial pain, internal derangement of the joint, and arthritis. Myofascial pain is the most common TMJ disorder and occurs when the muscles that control the jaw are sore or tender. Causes of myofascial pain are unknown. Internal derangement occurs when the joint becomes injured due to a blow to the jaw. The TMJ disorder may occur if the jaw is dislocated, a disc is displaced, or the rounded ends of the lower jaw are damaged as a result of the injury. Arthritis may also affect the TMJ. A patient may have one or more of these TMJ disorders, which may affect one or both sides of the jaw.
It’s unknown how many people have TMJ disorders, but these disorders occur more often in women than men, in individuals who are 20-40 years old.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders vary among patients. These symptoms include pain and soreness of the jaw, pain in and around the ear, facial pain, an uneven bite or change in the way the lower and upper teeth fit together, jaw muscle stiffness, a clicking sound or grating sensation when the mouth is opened and closed headache, tired facial muscles, and locking of the joint, which may temporarily limit the movement of the jaw. Some patients may experience mild and temporary pain, while others may experience severe pain that may last for several years.
There are some cases where the symptoms of a TMJ disorder may go without treatment. If they continue over time most experts agree that treatment should begin with traditional, nonsurgical therapies to provide TMJ pain relief. These include the use of hot or cold packs, eating soft foods, avoiding overuse of the jaw muscles, night guards, biteplates, and/or anti-inflammatory medications. However, if these treatments do not provide TMJ pain relief, a healthcare provider or dentist may recommend corrective dental treatment, medications called corticosteroids, arthrocentesis (removal of fluid from a joint), or surgery. These procedures may worsen symptoms of TMJ disorders (corrective surgery) as well as cause easy bruising, thinning of bones, cataracts, weight gain, a round face, and diabetes (corticosteroid drugs).
Persons are advised to make lifestyle changes to avoid behaviours that may contribute to the development of TMJ disorders.
No comments:
Post a Comment