TMJ Pain? Understand Your Options for Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge between your jawbone and skull. This joint is responsible for the mobility of your jaw so you can eat, speak, yawn, etc. Issues with your jaw muscles or joints can lead to jaw disorders that hinder the function of your jaw. TMJ disorders can lead to jaw pain and discomfort, making it difficult to talk or eat. You may experience headaches, jaw stiffness, or trouble opening and closing your mouth. A visit to Wahlen Dentistry in Perry, Utah, will provide you with an accurate diagnosis of your condition so we can recommend treatment for TMJ disorder (TMD).  

Options for TMJ Pain Relief

When your TMJ is functioning properly, your jaw movements are smooth and effortless, with no sign of pain. Problems with jaw muscles or joints can destabilize jaw function, causing pain, stiffness, and other debilitating symptoms. Fortunately, there are solutions to managing TMJ pain to keep this condition from disrupting your life.

Drs. Jennifer Wahlen and John Torghele recommend the following options for TMJ pain relief:   

• Changing Lifestyle Habits
  Stress and lifestyle habits are common causes of TMJ pain, so changing some of your customs or behaviors could help relieve painful symptoms. Some examples would be eating softer foods, not chewing gum, establishing a routine of jaw exercises that you can do throughout the day, or massaging your jaw muscles periodically to ease tension and pain. OTC medication and heat or ice packs can also provide temporary TMJ pain relief.
• Correcting Bad Bites
  If your pain is caused by bite problems, Drs. Wahlen and Torghele may recommend orthodontics to correct bite issues that contribute to TMJ symptoms. Orthodontic treatment can realign your upper and/or lower teeth so they meet properly, taking stress off your jaw joints to eliminate TMJ symptoms.
• Using a Dental Splint 
  A customized dental splint can help relieve TMJ pain caused by bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching). TMJ splints are dental appliances worn over teeth to help realign or stabilize your jaw. This eases muscle tension, relieving TMJ pain.
• Dry Needling
  This method is often used to treat musculoskeletal issues, including those associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. TMJ disorder often leads to significant pain and discomfort due to muscle tension, inflammation, and dysfunction in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. Dry needling targets these tight, painful areas, known as myofascial trigger points, to release muscle tension and improve blood flow. By stimulating these points, dry needling helps reduce muscle spasms, decrease inflammation, and alleviate pain. The procedure works by eliciting a twitch response from the muscle, which can reset the muscle’s normal function and reduce the referred pain often associated with TMJ disorder. This promotes relaxation and healing in the affected muscles, leading to improved jaw mobility and reduced pain.

Learn More About Your TMJ Treatment Options Today!

To learn more about the various treatment options available for TMJ disorder relief, please contact Dr. Jennifer Wahlen, Dr. John Torghele, and the team from Wahlen Dentistry in Perry, UT, at (435) 246-4602. We also serve patients from Brigham City, Ogden, and Willard.

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