How to Soothe Temporomandibular Joint Pains

(Newswire.net — November 22, 2017) Cheyenne, Wyoming — Regular visits are paid to ear, nose and throat specialists, gynecologist and even dietitians but a trip to the dentist tends to make many cringe. Whether it’s due to childhood fears or developed angst, dentists have been given a bad rep when all they’re there to do is help. This aversion to getting regular dental check-ups can lead to all sorts of issues with not just your teeth but your entire jaw, in particular the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

“The jawbone itself, controlled by the TMJ, has two movements: rotation or hinge action, which is opening and closing of the mouth, and gliding action, a movement that allows the mouth to open wider,” explains eMedicineHealth.com. “The coordination of this action also allows you to talk, chew, and yawn.”

Needless to say the TMJ is a rather important part of our lives and any disruption to its function affects a myriad of basic activities one takes for granted. In America, at least 10 million people are said to have disorders resulting from TMJ issues. Strangely enough the medical fraternity is unsure of triggers this condition.

“The exact cause of TMJ disorders is unknown,” states the office of Dentistry in Bolton, Ontario.  “It is believed that the following may be contributing factors: lost teeth, clenching or grinding of teeth during the day or night, mental or physical stress, arthritis, misaligned or unstable bite, head and neck injuries, muscle spasms and frequent headaches.”

So while the experts are still speculating the root cause of TMJ pains and there is no known cure, they are all in agreement that a mouth guard is typically an effective first aid step. The HealthyWiser™ DentoGuard™ customizable dental protectors are designed to reduce stress on joints, diminish temporal headaches and mitigate the role teeth grinding plays in TMJ discomforts.

“Symptoms such as facial pain, headaches in the temples, inability to open to the mouth widely, sensitive teeth, or aching and throbbing jaw muscles can be unbearable,” says Donald Tanenbaum, Section Head of the Division of Orofacial Pain/TMD/Dental Sleep Medicine in the Department of Dental Medicine at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

If it is perceived that your TMJ disorder is stress related, then counseling for stress management or mastering a few relaxation techniques should help lessen the muscular tension. Medication is always an option when faced with spasms and excruciating pains but if you note the issue early, a dentist-approved mouth guard like the DentoGuard™ is more than sufficient to ease general TMJ pains.