Find out more about TMJ, a common jaw-related disorder. Visiting a general dentist allows individuals to receive a proper diagnosis, as well as understand how severe the TMJ is. Once diagnosed, treatment is the next step.
Understanding what TMJ is and how it can affect one’s oral health is important. Since TMJ can also affect one’s overall general health, treatment is often necessary. According to Healthline, TMJ disorders occur when something goes wrong with the jaw joints and jaw muscles. This can cause sufferers to experience minimal jaw-related complications or severe jaw-related complications. When it comes to what causes someone to be diagnosed with this disorder, arthritis, joint erosion, teeth clenching and teeth grinding are some of the more common causes.
There are a few different ways that a general dentist will treat a TMJ disorder in their patients. Since there are many different types of treatments available, it will depend on the patient's individual situation when it comes to the treatment options a dentist will offer them. Because it is possible for TMJ to worsen and/or become more severe, it is essential for anyone diagnosed with this disorder to undergo treatment from a general dentist.
The list below includes detailed information on three of the more common TMJ treatments.
There are oral appliances available to help dental patients who are diagnosed with TMJ, which include bite guards and oral splints. An oral appliance is a removable dental device that works by helping to keep a patient's teeth and jaw in their proper positions, which is especially important during the night when sleeping. An oral appliance also helps TMJ patients from grinding or clenching their teeth, which is known to make certain cases of TMJ worse.
General dentists can provide their patients with anti-inflammatory medications in order to reduce any pain or swelling they experience from TMJ. This includes muscle relaxers, as many people who are diagnosed with TMJ often grind or clench their teeth, which tends to cause pain in the facial muscles. Anti-anxiety medication is also an option for some patients in order to help reduce their stress levels, which can reduce symptoms of TMJ.
Patients who are diagnosed with a mild case of TMJ are likely to be given a sheet of self-care instructions to practice when at home. This list of instructions will be personalized for each individual patient, as every patient's case of TMJ is going to differ. Examples of self-care instructions include reducing the stress in one’s life, reducing any type of jaw movement that can exasperate the disorder, using ice to reduce any swelling, avoiding eating hard foods, avoiding chewing gum and performing certain jaw stretching exercises.
Need to be seen by a general dentist for TMJ reasons? Now that the above information has been read, it should be understood that there are many different treatment options that can help those suffering from TMJ-related discomfort or pain. In order for one to learn which options are going to work for them, making a dental appointment is the next step to take.
Request an appointment here: https://www.ddsbaik.com or call Dennis Baik, DDS at (408) 676-5321 for an appointment in our San Jose office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ Dentist in San Jose, CA.
You may not think much about TMJ disorder unless a dentist diagnoses you with it. This is a serious condition that can cause much pain and discomfort. Untreated, this disorder can make it difficult to chew and even speak. Instead of suffering and being in agony, you can speak to your dentist. Fortunately, relief is…
TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorders, refers to a group of issues related to mobility and discomfort around the jaw joints. The temporomandibular joints are the joints that link the lower jawbone (mandible) to the skull. More than any other joint in the body, these flexible joints are constantly in use, performing actions such as…
TMJ disorder can cause an immense amount of pain and serious dysfunction in the jaw and facial region. It is necessary to see a general dentist for TMJ disorder treatment options. General dentists undergo extensive training that prepares them to properly diagnose and treat TMJ. Thinking only a medical professional can treat TMJ? In fact, dental…
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint, which is located near the jawline. When there is any sort of malfunction with the joint, the result is TMJ disorder. Sufferers of TMJ disorder tend to experience pain and difficulty performing things such as eating, smiling and speaking. TMJ pain has treatment options, including wearing oral appliances, practicing self-care…
A mouth guard is a protective covering worn over teeth to protect them while playing sports or grinding them at night. In the past, the use of mouth guards was mostly restricted to athletes. These days, more parents are following their dentists' advice and getting mouth guards for their kids who participate in physical sports.Every…
If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meet with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The…