Find The Best TMJ Cure To Put An End To Pain

By Dr. Shelley Stevens

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ is an inflammation of the joints that hinge the jaw to the bottom of the skull. Symptoms can include; headache or migraine, pain in the jaw, dizziness, ear pain and several others. Fortunately there are a number of treatment options for this problem so sufferers should be able to find a TMJ cure that will work for them.

There are both simple and non-invasive ways of treating TMJ and those which are more invasive and involve consulting a professional. Normally a patient will try those which are less-invasive first and proceed to the others if they don't help. The primary objective of any treatment is to relieve inflammation and pain and prevent the condition from getting worse. There are some measures which can done at home easily.

One of the easiest ways to improve TMJ is to alter one's diet. Avoiding foods that are hard to chew and stress the jaw is important. Limiting caffeine is also indicated, as it can increase stress and tension in the jaw without the person being aware of it. Increasing the intake of calcium through calcium-rich foods or supplements, has also been proven to alleviate pain since it naturally relaxes the muscles and joints.

Some easy at-home treatments provide relief from pain for many sufferers such as heat applications and jaw exercises. Placing a washcloth soaked in warm water over the affected joint at the start of a spasm can be soothing and keep the pain at bay. There are also exercises that can be useful if done each day; they simply involve opening and closing the mouth and articulating the jaw from one side to another.

Grinding the teeth is known to cause TMJ so preventing it is important. This habit often occurs at night while sleeping so people are unaware they are doing it until they feel pain the next morning. A dentist who treats TMJ can prescribe a mouthguard, which is worn at night to stop tooth grinding. Or they may prescribe an intra-oral orthotic splint which is worn to improve jaw alignment and reduce strain.

The more invasive forms of treatment include surgery of the jaw, which is usually only done if all else fails and injections. Corticosteroids are injected by an oral surgeon to relieve swelling and inflammation or sometimes lidocaine, which is an anesthetic is injected to help alleviate pain for a time. Injections are not that commonly used and are only performed selectively.

Chiropractic care has been found to be beneficial to patients as well. By applying adjustments to the neck and shoulders and less commonly to the actual joint in the jaw, pain can be reduced. Sometimes massage and other modalities will be utilized in therapy as well.

Patients who are experiencing pain from this condition, should seek to find the TMJ cure that works for them. Starting with the easiest treatments first is advisable, then trying the more extensive ones that involve consulting a medical professional if necessary. Most people will find relief from a one of these methods or a combination of them.

About the Author:

Looking to find the best advice on a TMJ Cure, then visit http://www.tmj-exercises.com/ to find the best advice on TMJ Exercises for you.. Also published at Find The Best TMJ Cure To Put An End To Pain.