Can a General Dentist Treat TMJ Disorder?

TMJ pain can be debilitating. It can affect the way you open your mouth and move your jaw. Headaches, earaches, and clicking of the jaw are common symptoms to watch out for. If you want to know if your general dentist can help you with your TMJ disorder, here are the details.

A general dentist can treat TMJ

Patients with this disorder can seek treatment from their general dentist. This type of dental professional understands how the jaw functions. Different treatments are available from a general dentist’s clinic. Severe cases can receive referrals to dentists who can provide more detailed treatments.

Cold–hot therapy

A general dentist can use alternating hot and cold treatments to treat TMJ disorder. Ice packs can reduce pain and inflammation. Hot packs can encourage proper healing by increasing blood flow in the jaw area. The dentist will recommend this treatment up to four times every day. The different temperatures can relax tense jaw muscles and ease the pain.

Dental splint

A general dentist can recommend wearing a dental splint or a bite guard. The dental appliance can prevent the upper teeth from touching the lower teeth. This can help reduce the stress in the jaw during biting or chewing. It can also protect the lower jaw from pain during bruxism or teeth grinding.

Stretching massage

TMJ pain can arise from tense jaw muscles. The tension contracts the muscles, leading to pain while eating or speaking. A general dentist can teach proper stretching massages to ease the tension in the jaw muscles. The patient can do this anywhere, at any time.

Preventing jaw overuse

Crunchy, hard, and chewy foods can stress out the jaw muscles and the TMJ. It takes more time to chew these types of foods. Breaking them down strains the jaw muscles and joints. Chewing gum can overuse the jaw as well. Preventing the excessive use of the jaw can relieve symptoms like pain and tenderness. Eating soft or liquid forms of nourishment can ease the pressure on the jaw.

Relaxation

A general dentist can also teach patients some relaxation techniques to reduce or even end jaw pain. These techniques target the tense jaw muscles. Deep breathing exercises can help with pain relief. Meditation can take away the patient’s attention from the jaw pain.

Medications

A patient can use OTC (over-the-counter) pain medication to help with the pain. The intake of any pain medication must happen with some food in the patient’s stomach. The general dentist may prescribe stronger anti-inflammatories and pain relievers if OTC medications do not help. The patient must only take the stronger pain medications for a short time.

Counseling

There could be some behaviors or social factors capable of aggravating TMJ pain. A general dentist can recommend counseling and education. These can help the patient understand the behaviors and factors contributing to the pain. Doing so can aid the patient in avoiding them. Such behaviors are jaw clenching, biting fingernails, and leaning on the chin.

Benefits of treating a TMJ disorder

Treating TMJ disorders can improve a person’s dental and general health. Some people dismiss immediate treatment for this condition. The reason for this is that they do not realize how much TMJ disorders impact their lives. Below are the benefits of getting the right treatment for these disorders:

• It relieves pain in the jaw. This is a natural result of a malfunctioning jaw. The pain could be a dull or chronic muscle ache. There could also be a pain in the jaw joint. This could be linked to a locked jaw. It may also be a result of irregular jaw motion.
• It helps improve sleep quality. Chronic pain in the jaw can make it difficult for the individual to sleep. There could be tenderness in the jaw that makes it challenging for the patient to get a comfortable sleeping position. The pain could extend to the back, neck, head, and shoulders. The treatment can help improve sleep, which can be good for the patient’s general health.
• It reduces medication intake. Medications are good for a short period. The pain can go away, allowing the person to go on with daily activities. Even so, taking medications all the time can trigger medication or rebound headaches. Getting a drug-free TMJ disorder treatment can cut down the strain from medications as well.
• It prevents headaches. TMJ disorders often cause headaches. The pain in the jaw spreads to the head. If the patient is not getting relief from migraine medications anymore. This could be the right moment to have a checkup for TMJ disorders.

Your general dentist can address your TMJ disorder

Pain in the jaw is not normal. Seeing your general dentist as soon as you feel some discomfort or clicking sounds when you move your jaw will help relieve or manage the symptoms early. This will help you eat and speak without discomfort. Setting up an appointment with your general dentist can help determine which TMJ treatment method fits you well.

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