What causes TMJ problems?

The foremost aspect that people suffering from TMJ have to understand is that it arises from different causes or reasons, and there is no constant root cause for this disorder. As mentioned earlier, it may be a result of rheumatoid arthritis or excessive clenching that hardens the muscle near the TMJ, causing dysfunction or pain.

The signs that help you recognize the TMJ disorder

Well, if you ask us what are the common symptoms of TMJ disorders, our answer would be pain or discomfort in and around the lower jaw. However, some people also experience signs such as pain near the earlobes or head, discomfort while chewing, biting, opening, or closing the mouth.

On the other hand, some people hear popping sounds from their jawbones. If the situation gets worse, people may start experiencing pain in the neck or shoulder region.

How Do You Treat TMJ Disorder?

The most common treatment methods suggested by certified orthodontists include:

• Multi-wave Locked System (MLS) laser: In this treatment method, two sets of lasers with different wavelengths are targeted at the affected muscle region around the joint. While one laser reduces inflammation, the other dives deep and relaxes the nerves.
• Cortisone injections: Although it is not a permanent solution, this injection helps the affected individual relieve severe TMJ pain by softening the muscles and reducing the inflammation.
• Invasive surgery: Surgical treatment applies only to those individuals who have actual problems in this joint. Other TMJs arising out of primary medical concerns are not eligible for the surgery. In other words, this may not help them as the root cause is not addressed. Hence, the first step is to diagnose the root cause of your TMJ problem. Consulting an orthodontist in Arnold or a TMJ specialist is the right step even before exploring the various treatment methods.
• Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS): In this TMJ treatment, electrical energy is passed on to the muscles for relaxation. Again, this will only reduce the pain or discomfort for a shorter period and will not solve the problem.
• Physical therapy: Some exercises or physiotherapy can help with temporary pain relief. Often, Orthodontists recommend this as a secondary or additional treatment coupled with a primary solution like TENS or MLS.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a mouthguard help with TMJ?

Yes, a mouthguard prevents excessive clenching. In turn, this reduces the pressure on the temporomandibular joint. However, this is just an interim fix and not proper treatment for the disorder.

2. Are there any home remedies for the disorder?

The two popular home remedies that help lower the pain temporarily are a warm compression at specified intervals and consumption of soft foods (hard foods to be strictly avoided).

3. Can Bruxism cause TMJ?

Certainly, bruxism has a significant negative influence on the joint. In one way, it can cause TMJ to dislocate or dysfunction. This can be treated by helping the individual avoid frequent or excessive grinding. In another way, it can increase the severity of existing TMJ dysfunction. In this case, the individual needs an actual TMJ treatment along with preventing the excessive grinding.

4. Can TMJ go away on its own?

For some people, it can disappear for a shorter period as a result of natural muscle relaxation or jaw alignment as desired. However, without proper treatment, it will recur and cause discomfort again and again.