TMD Treatment
If you are suffering from frequent headaches, jaw aches, and/or dull, aching facial pain or if your jaw has been clicking or locking, it could be Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, also known as TMJ or TMD.
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TMD can have many different signs and symptoms, varying from mild to severe. Some people may have symptoms but are still able to fully function in their everyday lives, while for others it can be debilitating.
Symptoms may include:
o Frequent headaches.
o Tender jaw and facial muscles.
o Pain in or around the ear.
o Clicking, popping or locking in the jaw.
o Difficulty or pain opening or closing the mouth.
o Pain when yawning or chewing.
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TMD is often managed rather than cured. It often involves other conditions that can contribute to the symptoms, such as trauma or injuries to the jaw, arthritis, tooth grinding or bruxism, and anxiety and/or stress. At your appointment, we will complete a thorough examination and evaluation to determine how best to treat your condition.
Treatment for TMD often involves managing symptoms, rather than curing the condition. Sometimes TMD symptoms resolve on their own, but most of the time TMD is a chronic condition that needs to be managed long term.
Treatment usually involves a series of steps, starting with smaller interventions before progressing to more involved treatment. We usually recommend starting with some self-care routines at home that can help mitigate symptoms. It can help to eat softer foods to minimize stress on the jaw, avoiding chewing gum, using hot and cold compresses to bring down inflammation in the joint and help relax the muscles, and mindfulness to help relax the muscles and interrupt any clenching or grinding.
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We may recommend anti-inflammatory medications to help with pain and inflammation in the joint. In some cases, we may recommend fixing an uneven bite by making small adjustments to some teeth. Orthodontic treatment may also be recommended to help even your bite and protect your jaw.
Night guards can help protect teeth from bruxism, or clenching and grinding, while also reducing muscle tension and pain in the jaw joint.
Botox can be used as a treatment for TMD by relieving the tension in the clenching muscles and reducing pain.
