Know the symptoms of TMJ syndrome
The teeth not matching together, hearing the sound when opening and closing the jaw, sensitivity to ringing in the ear and confusion, pain around the ear, etc., all these are symptoms of TMJ syndrome, how to diagnose and treat this syndrome from a dentist.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the mandible to the head bone and is the joint that allows the mandible to move. TMJ syndrome is a disease of the muscles and nerves of the joint area caused by damage to the TMJ.
Some of the symptoms of TMJ syndrome include: radial pain in the neck and shoulder muscles, pain around the ear that is aggravated by talking, chewing or opening the mouth, stiffness of the jaw muscles, limited opening of the mouth or locking of the jaw, Hearing the sound when opening and closing the jaw and a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. In some cases, toothache, headache, neck pain, upper shoulder pain, earache, hearing problems, ringing in the ears and confusion are other symptoms of this syndrome.
Factors causing or aggravating the disease
Teeth not matching together, grinding teeth that puts a lot of pressure on the joint, stress, rheumatoid arthritis and joint osteoarthritis and other autoimmune diseases, chewing gum a lot and stretched joint ligaments cause the jaw to be in a bad position.
Method of diagnosis and treatment
The dentist can help you with the medical information you give him and an examination of the mouth, head, face, neck and jaw, or sometimes by prescribing special x-rays. Other causes of pain such as sinus infections, ear infections, types of headaches and dental and gum problems should also be investigated. It should be noted that there is a range of treatments for this problem. It is suggested to start with the easiest, least expensive and least risky treatment.
Home treatment
1- Eating soft foods
2- Avoid wide jaw movements, for example: a) Chewing gum is prohibited b) Singing loudly is prohibited c) When yawning, hold your jaw so that it does not open too much. d) Do not bite apples, carrots and hard foods, divide them into smaller pieces.
3- Exercises that relax the jaw joint and muscles. (Your dentist can teach you them.)
4- Half an hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week, can reduce stress and release endorphins in the body, which reduces pain.
5- Learn stress reduction techniques. Be careful not to clench your teeth under stress.
6- Sleep on your back or on one side. If you sleep on your stomach and put one side of your face on the pillow, your jaw problems will be aggravated.
7- Walk straight, the muscles behind the neck should have good support.
8- If you use the phone for a long time, putting the phone between your shoulder and cheek muscles puts a lot of pressure on your neck and jaw joint. So use handsfree.
9- If you feel a sharp pain, put ice pieces in a thin towel and place them in the jaw joint area for about ten minutes (no more than 20 minutes). Repeat every two hours if needed.
10- If you feel dull and vague pain, it is better to use heat. By doing this, the blood supply in the muscles of the joint increases. Soak a towel in warm water and place it on the muscles of the joint area for 20 minutes.
If you do not get the desired result from these treatments:
1- Drug therapy: sometimes you may use short-term drugs or anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants or antidepressants at the discretion of the specialist dentist.
2- Stabilization with Splint: You may need to use a mouth guard. (short-term and under the supervision of a doctor)
3- Physical therapy treatments: use of cold laser (ultrasound), heat and cold therapy, etc.
4- Botox injection: provides pain relief for the patient for three to eight months, the results of which are still under investigation.
5- More extensive treatments including joint surgical treatments or the use of joint prosthesis, which may be required if irreversible joint changes and stable symptoms are observed in the joint.