TMJ Jaw Pain Relief

TMJ is short for Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders. TMJ consists of muscle and joint pain in the jaw that can be caused by trauma to the jaw, stress, hormones and other unknown factors. The symptoms of TMJ can include pain in the jaw, neck, shoulders and face, muscle stiffness, limited range of movement and clicking and locking of the jaw. Because the scientific evidence of the specific causes and effective treatments of TMJ is still limited, different treatments may work better for different people.

Less is Best

• According to The TMJ Association, the best treatment for TMJ may be no treatment at all. The association suggests avoiding surgery because the effectiveness of such procedures has not been scientifically proven by long-term studies. In many cases, TMJ will eventually disappear on its own. Treatments that cause changes in the structure of the jaw and bite can lead to problems with dental work like crowns and bridges. The TMJ Association suggests trying self-care procedures before moving on to more invasive and complicated treatments. This can include eating softer foods, using ice packs and over-the-counter pain relief, and avoiding chewing gum.

Non-invasive Therapies

• Besides the recommended self-care procedures, there are some other ways to help TMJ that may be safer than surgery. The most common medical treatment for TMJ is a stabilization splint. This is basically a mouth guard that is fitted over the top or bottom teeth. Because there are not many studies that show the long-term effects of using a stabilization splint, it should only be used for short periods of time. Using one for a long period of time could cause the structure of your mouth and bite to change, which could lead to even more serious problems. Some people use the splint at night to help train themselves to stop grinding their teeth and inadvertently tensing their jaw muscles. There are plenty of other devices that are marketed commercially to relieve TMJ pain. You can purchase mouth guards that actually have a sensor that beeps when you grind your teeth or bite down. The product claims to disturb your sleep with the noises, conditioning you to relax your jaw more. Once again, the safety and effectiveness of such devices include little long-term scientific research.

Surgical and Dental Procedures

• Although they are rarely recommended, some irreversible treatments do exist. These are usually used to treat patients with severe symptoms who find no relief in other treatments. Dental procedures, like grinding down the teeth and implementing crown and bridge work to balance the bite can sometimes be performed. There are also surgical procedures that exist. Sometimes, people will undergo surgeries that implant a stabilizing device in the jaw. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, these surgeries are often ineffective, damaging to the jaw and can cause even more pain. The institute urges patients to be wary of any such procedure.