The Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, popularly known as TMJ Disorder, connects our lower jaws to the skull. The joint that you feel when you stretch your jaw downwards, in front of your ears, is TMJ. This joint is responsible for the opening, closing, speaking, and eating of and through the jaw.
The disorder involves the complexity of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. Orthodontic specialists treat TMJ Disorder. They offer you the first visit to your ENT and help you undergo an x-ray and MRI process to understand where the root of the issue has been given rise. If you are around California and suspect symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, then you must check the specialists for orthodontics in Los Gatos.
How common is this disorder?
As studies suggest, these disorders are more common in women than men and are spread across 15% of the adult population ranging between the years of 20 to 40. This can occur in one or both joints.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder include:
- Jaw pain
- Jaw dysfunction
- Earache
- Headache
- Pain around the face
How does the diagnosis take place, and what are the treatments associated with it?
The TMJ Disorder diagnosis is based on the results and facts revolving around the medical history and physical examination. The treatments begin when the doctors examine or spot an abnormality associated with the joint. Further, there are three ways- Oral Appliance Therapy, Orthodontic Intervention, and Full Mouth Rehabilitation that help diminish the pain and its causes.
Most patients are treated via non-invasive therapies like knowledge about the condition, home exercises, behavioral therapies, physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and more. The pain is curbed through non-inflammatory and pain relief medications. Other severe cases require patients to undergo surgery.
It must be noted that any of the exercises must not be practiced when experiencing severe pain. Cases involving mental health issues are often prescribed antidepressants to ease the process of recovery. To reduce the symptoms, you can:
- Avoid hard food
- Ice your swellings
- Limit movements of the jaw
- Limit food that promotes lot of chewing like gums and meat
- Control your stress levels
- Practice jaw exercises
- Use soft labeled brushes
- Floss (if unable, use water ones)
- Rinse mouth with dental antiseptics
Who is at greater risk?
TMJ Disorder occurs in several cases of people who practice/are victims of:
- Poor Posture
- Straining the neck
- Stress
- Jaw clenching
- Women aged between 18 to 44
- Chronic inflammatory arthritis
- Poorly positioned teeth
