How TMJ Treatment is Beneficial for Arthritis in Jaw?

This might sound absurd for some but it is indeed true that arthritis can occur in jaw. The joints that are present in the jaw are indeed complex. The TMJ or temporomandibular joint moves with the support of various muscles, soft tissues and bones, and these joints are heavily used through the entire day as you yawn, chew, eat, swallow and talk as well as move your mouths for expressing emotions and to your utter surprise arthritis can affect TMJ.  The foremost cause of arthritis in the jaw is due to constant excess load on the jaw joint.

It happens when you grind teeth while sleeping, shake with tough force or if you pinch it firmly. During grinding of tooth, huge pressure is applied on the cartilage located in the joints of the jaw and subsequently, the teeth can wear off. It has been found in research that quite a large number of people who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis also suffer from jaw pain and TMJ problem.

Symptoms of TMJ issues

People suffering from TMJ might experience stiffness in the jaws, radiating pain from joints, changes in teeth alignment and locking of jaws. Some might experience trouble in eating hard food or food that needs to chew. Arthritis in the jaw is also accompanied by cracking noise while opening and closing your mouth and earache. People who suffer from arthritis have a tendency to press their jaws firmly against each other and eventually the complications increase.

Arthritis diagnosis in the jaw

While examining, your doctor will ask you to open as well as close your mouth and if they find a cracking sound, then it is an issue of arthritis in the jaw. It can be only confirmed by conducting a CT scan or an X-Ray.  When it comes to TMJ Treatment Chino CA, get in touch with a veteran dentist who can treat your issue appropriately.

How to lessen the jaw pain?

Jaw pain can be terrible. It will make you feel not to talk, eat or do anything. Let’s take a look at some of the tips to prevent jaw pain:

1. To give rest to your jaw, it is advisable that you should switch to soft food for the few days
2. Avoid chewing gum and candies
3. Remember not to open the mouth too wide while talking, eating or yawning
4. Massage those muscle around your joint
5. Avoid clenching jaw. This is mostly done when people are under stress or upset
6. You can warm compress your jaw.
7. Do not rest your chin on the hand and it puts stress on the jaw and changes the alignment of teeth if you are prone to TMJ problems.
8. Exercise can also be beneficial to avert TMJ pain in the future. It must not be done if you are experiencing pain and swollen, wait till you feel better.

The exercise which helps is by opening mouth slowly, curl the tongue up and make sure it touches the roof of the mouth, keeps the tongue in position and slowly closes the mouth. It can be done 2-3 times a day.

The other exercises which can be helpful involve sitting before a mirror and open and close your mouth slowly. Apply pressure on one side of your jaw using your hand. It can also be done 2-3 times a day.

How does the doctor help?

When you suffer from TMJ, the doctor might prescribe you medicines like anti-inflammatories or pain reliever as it helps in alleviating pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants can also help in relieving any type of pain which is associated with a clenched jaw. The doctor may recommend oral splits or mouth guards for reducing jaw pain and also aid with aligning the jaw; physical therapy can also be done.

Wrapping up

When you suffer from jaw pain, cautious lifestyle changes can help in relieving the symptoms and will also make you less prone to further jaw issues.