4 Effective Treatment Options For TMJ
If you suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you probably know that you have it. TMJ is an extremely painful disorder of the jaw that causes pain, discomfort, and other issues. If you have this problem, you might want to talk to your dentist about treating it. Dentists offer many treatment options for TMJ, and here are four methods that dentists often suggest for treating TMJ.
1. Exercises and Physical Therapy
Many people find that performing exercises provides relief to TMJ pain and discomfort. You can learn exercises to do yourself, or you can learn them by going through physical therapy. In either case, exercises help treat the problem by strengthening your jaw muscles. They can also help by working the muscles in the right ways. If you want to try this treatment option, ask your dentist what exercises to do. Your dentist can give you some ideas that might help.
2. Essential Oils
Some people prefer treating pain naturally, and you can try this by using essential oils. Chamomile oil and lavender oil are two essential oils that can relieve pain. You can use them by rubbing them onto your sore jaw. As you rub them, the oils can penetrate into the jaw, causing it to loosen up. The result is that you might feel some relief from the TMJ pain that you feel.
3. Medication
Medication is another form of treatment you can try. You can start by using over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen. Any type of anti-inflammatory medication helps relieve TMJ pain. Some doctors suggest getting Botox treatments for the pain, as this can provide longer relief for TMJ pain. Your dentist might also prescribe pain pills and other medication to you for this problem.
4. Mouthguard
One more treatment option for TMJ is a mouthguard. A mouthguard is something your dentist can create for you to wear while sleeping. Wearing a mouthguard gives your jaw a break while you sleep. If you grind your teeth while sleeping, wearing this device can provide a lot of relief. You can talk to your dentist to learn more about this potential treatment option.
These are four ways that dentists treat TMJ, but dentists also offer many other options. If you have jaw pain, talk to a TMJ dentist. Your dentist might suggest trying a few things at home before trying other options. Talk to your local dentist to learn more about TMJ and the treatment options for it.
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