Do you suffer from pain in your jaw, temples, or ears? Do you have difficulty chewing or opening your mouth wide? If so, you may be suffering from TMJ. This is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. There are many different treatments available for TMJ, and finding the right one for you will depend on the severity of your symptoms. Read on to discover how you can find relief from your TMJ pain with these tips from Elkins Park Dental Innovations.
Stress is a common trigger for TMJ flare-ups. It often increases tension in your body, which can lead to pain in your jaw and other areas. If you’re looking for relief from your TMJ, it’s important to find ways to reduce stress in your life. If you find that your symptoms are worse when you’re feeling stressed, it’s important to find ways to reduce your stress levels. This may include yoga, meditation, or even just taking some time each day to relax. You can also try some breathing exercises to help reduce stress, or talk to a certified therapist for more advice.
Ice and heat can both be helpful in treating TMJ pain. Applying ice to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain. You can do this by placing an ice pack on your jaw for 10-15 minutes at a time. Be sure to wrap the ice pack in a towel so that it doesn’t come into direct contact with your skin. The same goes for heat application. You can use a heating pad or similar device to soothe tense muscles and relax your jaw.
There are a number of different exercises you can do to help strengthen your jaw and reduce TMJ pain. These include strengthening exercises to fortify your jaw muscles and stretching exercises to help improve flexibility. Our team at Elkins Park Dental Innovations can show you some specific exercises that may help alleviate your symptoms as a part of your TMJ treatment in Jenkintown.
Mouth guards can be helpful for people who suffer from TMJ because they help to keep the teeth in alignment. This can reduce stress on the jaw and provide relief from pain. Mouth guards are especially helpful for people who grind their teeth at night (bruxism). If you think a mouth guard could help you, our team can create a custom-fit mouth guard for you to use. These will provide better protection than a store-bought guard, which could actually make the problem worse.
If you’re looking for relief from your TMJ pain, our team at Elkins Park Dental Innovations can help. We offer a variety of different treatments for TMJ, and we’ll work with you to find the best option for your specific case. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our seasoned, caring dentists.