Archive for the “TMJ Pain” Category
Why a headache may mean you need to visit your dentist
They happen to many people across the world on a daily basis. Not only do they cause unbearable pain for a couple of hours but can normally only be resolved after the person taking Paracetamol or Ibuprofen in order to get rid of their headache completely. For some people, their headache might not be easily resolved due to this as they might be suffering from “Temporomandibular Joint Disorder” (TMJ).
What is a TMJ Headache?
Identified by if a person has a migraine, this common jaw disorder is caused by improper bite alignment. It affects millions across the world and those who have a TMJ Headache will find it comforting to know that there are suggestions which can help them.
How to partially or fully cure it
There are multiple muscles in your jaw and by exercising this area regularly by making movements which are similar to when you are chewing gum is one important way. Whilst doing this, keep your jaw straight and be careful not to grind your teeth. By stretching the jaw throughout the day will enable for your jaw muscles to become stronger.
Allowing more “me” time is very important as well. The body needs relaxation just as it does with five portions of fruit and vegetables and by relaxing more means that the body is not under constant stress or strain.
Clenching your jaws is strongly opposed. Make a conscious decision that when you are angry or upset that you will try your utmost to not do this as any added pressure or pain on your jaws will only ultimately result in the jaw muscles suffering further stress.
Pain drugs are often commonly used by people who experience migraines and for jaw muscle pain this is no different. If over-the-top pain relief medication does not work, by making an appointment with your doctor might lead to them prescribing stronger medication which could help to ease your pain.
It needn’t be the end of the world
By making slight adjustments in your life and asking for further medical advice are just some of the steps which can be taken for your migraines to subside and increase the health of your jaw muscles.
Posted in: TMJ Pain, TMJ Pain News
Tags: Headaches, improper bite alignment, jaw disorder, TMJ
| July 18, 2011 at 9:06 am | No comment
Botox treatment for TMJ sufferers
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) is an incredibly painful problem that makes simple things like eating, talking and swallowing a challenge for the sufferer. Traditional treatments involve orthodontic work, tooth reshaping, bite-correcting appliances and, in severe cases, surgery. However, an alternative treatment is fast gaining popularity and that treatment is Botox – the very same facial filler you associate with the rich, famous and beautiful and most often hear about in glossy magazines.
The temporomandibular joint is the point on either side of your face at which your lower jaw is connected to your skull. TMJ occurs as a result of excessive grinding or jaw clenching that strains or displaces the joint and causes severe tension headaches, toothache, neck pain and sometimes even lockjaw. It can be extremely painful and frustrating for the sufferer who may find everyday activities such as eating simply too painful and so treatment is a must.
Botox to the rescue?
Botox is the latest treatment method being offered to TMJ sufferers and whilst the method is still very much in the experimental phase the results are speaking for themselves. Patients have claimed that they can feel the effects of the treatment within a few short days of the first treatment and within a week the improvement is remarkable.
Just as Botox freezes the faces of beauty-obsessed celebrities giving them the forever surprised look; it relieves the symptoms by freezing the muscles around the joint and in doing so disabling the ability of the jaw to engage in the grinding action that causes TMJ as well as relieving the tension that is causing the headaches and other associated aches and pains. Even better, whilst it stops the jaw from doing the clenching or grinding movement causing the problem, it does not affect the way the jaw moves for other activities such as talking and eating.
Even though Botox is new, it is proven to be a safe and effective alternative treatment option for TMJ. It is a straightforward procedure and with just a simple injection into the affected muscle the tension will quickly start to feel relieved. Prior to the treatment you will have to undergo a consultation just to make sure you are eligible for Botox – there is a risk of Botox negatively interacting with certain drugs and medications and any allergies you may have could make you ineligible for the treatment.
However, if you are eligible to undergo Botox treatment for TMJ – and the majority of patients are – then the procedure is quick, straightforward and effective and so it may be the perfect answer to relieving your pain and discomfort caused by TMJ.
Posted in: TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
Tags: Botox, Pain relief, TMJ Pain, TMJ symptoms, TMJ Treatment
| April 5, 2011 at 11:04 am | No comment
TMJ treatment at your London cosmetic dentists
TMJ stands for temporomandibular disorder, which is an illness that affects the temporomandibular joint. TMJ patients usually suffer from lower joint pain as the illness can affect the two jaw joints and many patients suffer from problems with their speech and eating. The temporomandibular joint is located on each side of the jaw and helps to carry out everyday movements such as eating and speaking.
What are the common symptoms of TMJ?
There are a few symptoms associated with TMJ which you could look out for if you suspect that you might have the disorder:
- The patient might experience pain when chewing or speaking
- An earache is a common symptom of TMJ and you may experience a ringing noise in the ear
- Some patients experience trouble digesting their food and swallowing
- You may feel nausea
- Patients have reported to feel faint
- There may be a clicking sound when the joint moves
If you do experience any of the above symptoms you can visit your dentist who will be able to further investigate and prescribe the relevant medication.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
TMJ disorder can be treated in a number of different ways depending on your individual case of TMJ. An advanced system called Tens can be used to relax the muscle and jaw system, the orthodontics can ensure the painful symptoms do not return and finally there may be the need for an adjustment of tooth shape to ensure a relaxed alignment of jaw and teeth.
Your London cosmetic dentists will be able to advise on the most suitable treatment according to your particular case.
Posted in: TMJ Pain
Tags: temporomandibular disorder, TMJ Pain, TMJ symptoms, TMJ Treatment
| February 2, 2011 at 10:06 am | No comment
Do you suffer from TMJ Pain?
In today’s, society many have become obsessed with the quest for constantly minty fresh breath and this his led to some people constantly chewing gum for vast proportions of the day, however, overuse of the jaw muscles caused by habitual gum chewing is one of the main causes of TMJ pain.
(more…)
Posted in: TMJ Pain
| December 1, 2010 at 10:15 am | No comment
TMJ Pain
The temporomandibular joint is the joint of the jaw and is frequently referred to as TMJ. There are two of these joints, one on either side of the jaw and work in unison. TMJ pain can be manifest in a number of ways and this TMJ pain can seem unconnected to its cause in the temporomandibular joint.
(more…)
Posted in: TMJ Pain
| September 1, 2010 at 3:03 pm | No comment
Cosmetic Dentistry Is More Than Celebrity Makeovers
It is easy to get caught up in the negative publicity that some cosmetic medical procedures generate and tar the whole industry with it. Cosmetic treatments often have the same blanket generalisation applied to them as being unnecessary, or only for the incredibly vain, and this has extended at times in to the world of cosmetic dentistry through their increased exposure from extreme makeover reality TV programs.
Whatever your opinion of the people featured on those programs or the celebrities who (allegedly) spend more time under the knife than not, it is important not to forget the serious medical benefits that recent advances in the science have brought to thousands of people worldwide. There are many people who, through no fault of their own, develop a teeth or jaw alignment which is not only unattractive to look at, but actually affects their eating, breathing and general health. These issues go far beyond the mere aesthetics of the mouth and the changes provided by orthodontists have far reaching and life changing implications for the individual. Especially in the case of long term sufferers of TMJ pain.
It is also important that if you suffer with your teeth, perhaps from a misaligned bite or just the lack of confidence from a wonky smile, you shouldn’t be put off doing something about it just because of what you fear people might think about you. Your happiness and health should never be allowed to suffer due to the prejudices of others.
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontists, TMJ Pain
Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, Orthodontist, TMJ Pain
| April 16, 2010 at 10:11 am | No comment
Grinding Out The Recession
It has been widely reported in the press recently that dentists across the country have noticed a massive increase in the number of people with damage to their teeth brought about by teeth grinding. Naturally the blame for this has been aimed squarely at the recession, the cause of all evil in the world. It’s hardly surprising that people are grinding their teeth to the point where they’re causing permanent damage, with the never ending stream of economic strife being broadcast through all media outlets it seems as though we’ve got plenty to grind our teeth about.
Of course, teeth grinding is neither productive nor healthy, and this habit can actually end up causing some serious damage to your teeth. Some of the worst news is that teeth grinding, like all unbalanced overuse of the jaw muscle, can bring on the dreaded TMJ pain. This is a most painful an irritating condition to suffer from and it’s surely far worse than any recession. It can bring about intense pain in the mandibles. Thankfully there are plenty of kinds of TMJ treatment that a cosmetic dentistry expert could advise you on, and many of these treatments have been shown to effectively relieve TMJ pain.
Of course, you could always try to relax and perhaps knock the teeth grinding on the head. It’ll save you a lot of stress and sleepless nights, and perhaps you’ll manage to avoid the onset of TMJ pain, an experience that nobody should have to suffer!
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
Tags: Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
| March 23, 2010 at 3:17 pm | No comment
Science Vs Magic
The concept of medicine itself was in the news this week as thousands of homeopathy sceptics gathered at various locations around the country to stage a mass “overdose” of homeopathic remedies. The intention of the exercise was to draw attention to the alleged ineffectiveness of homeopathic remedies sold over the counter at high street stores, with cynics claiming that due to the incredibly small quantities of active chemicals in these remedies, people are being sold little more than placebos. The issue stirs strong feelings in the cynic camp as they feel this is little more than profiteering from the hope/desperation of the sick.
There were plenty of homeopaths on hand to defend their position, countering that the prescription of homeopathic remedies has helped in thousands of cases where “modern medicine” has failed, and that contemporary science fashions should not get in the way of ancient remedial methods, however hard they are to rationally qualify. Whatever your view of the situation, it does throw light on the importance of being able to trust the diagnoses and treatment recommendations you are given as a patient, whether this be for illnesses with obvious or well known causes, or conditions that aren’t quite as well known such as TMJ pain.
TMJ pain is caused by a disorder of the temporomandibular joint and can manifest itself in a variety of different ways, including pain while chewing and swallowing, aching in the neck, shoulders and back, or even nausea headaches and dizziness. Due to the wide range of different symptoms that TMJ disorder can cause, it is important to have a cosmetic dentist that you can trust so that you follow through with any treatment they may suggest. TMJ treatment can be costly and invasive, and so this bond of trust between patient and clinician is incredibly important. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry has a much better success rate of proving the medical and emotional benefit of their procedures than homeopathy.
Posted in: Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment, cosmetic dentist
Tags: cosmetic dentist, Cosmetic Dentistry, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
| February 12, 2010 at 10:57 am | No comment
A Pain In The Neck… And Head… And Back… And Jaw
TMJ Pain
Martial arts students or people who study self-defence will tell you that one of the most effective methods for rendering an assailant unconscious quickly is by applying enough force to the jaw to cause sudden pain in the joint connecting jaw to skull. This then renders whoever is on the receiving end unconscious, so clearly this is an important part of the anatomy; if the reaction to sudden severe pain in this area by the nervous system is to knock you out until it doesn’t hurt quite as bad anymore, then it’s clearly not an area to take risks with.
TMJ pain is caused by structural disorders in the same area, causing symptomatic appearances of pain due to the massive force that the human bite can bring to bear being misaligned and causing damage to one or both of these joints. This is bad news and the pain this causes can be found in the neck and shoulders too, and is not something one should live with. There are temporary pain relief measures, but nobody wants pain as a constant companion.
A cosmetic dentist can tell you about the various TMJ treatment options available, which vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Now, TMJ pain is not fatal, but constant uncomfortable pain in this area can have various knock-on effects to your mood, health and even your ability to complete necessary daily tasks, such as work, for example. In addition, relying heavily on painkillers to manage TMJ pain can be detrimental to your health. The best option is to consult your local dentist and have the problem fixed and the pain stopped.
Posted in: TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment, cosmetic dentist
Tags: cosmetic dentist, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
| January 25, 2010 at 3:11 pm | 2 comments
Getting Your Teeth In To TMJ Pain
Few people understand just what a profound effect not having a correctly aligned jaw can have. If your bite is just slightly off then any time you chew or swallow there is a massive amount of pressure being exerted by your jaw on itself. A human being can actually bite hard enough to grind their own teeth to dust, but you are prevented from doing something that extreme by the nerves in your mouth. However it does indicate just how large the forces are that are involved, and just how problematical this force could be if misapplied.
It is these kinds of forces that cause TMJ pain, which is important as it can cause all kinds of knock-on health issues associated with your neck and cranium. Luckily, many of the issues that cause an incorrect bite can be resolved through modern dental care. Some of these are quicker than others and some are more expensive than others, but if you think you are suffering from TMJ pain the only way to receive a correct diganoses and avail yourself of your options is to speak to your dentist.
You dentist will be able to tell you just what kind of TMJ treatment is available, whether it be something relatively simple and cheap such as a tooth extraction or a more longer term solution that involves orthodontics. Perhaps you get frequent headaches or dull pain in your jaw and neck, but you struggle on regardless. Obviously TMJ pain is not life threatening, but ex-sufferers do often claim that its cure has transformed their lives and cannot believe they didn’t bother to get it fixed sooner.
Speak to your local dentist today to hear more about TMJ pain and the problems it may be causing you. They will be able to advise you fully on all the treatment paths available to you and the timescales involved, and hopefully set you on your way to better dental health.
Posted in: TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
Tags: Bite Problems, TMJ Pain, TMJ Treatment
| December 17, 2009 at 9:51 am | No comment
