What is TMJ / TMJD?
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is a syndrome that occurs when the muscles around the jaw become inflamed. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder causes include arthritis, injury and clenching or grinding of your teeth while you sleep.
Finding the correct TMJD treatment for you is important in healing the jaw pain. Most jaw pain resolves over time, while some may go away without any treatment at all. However, there are those who will require surgery to relieve TMJD. Speak to your dentist to find out what type of treatment, whether it be surgery or other procedures will work for you.
To relieve jaw pain from TMJ, it is best to eat soft foods cut into little pieces and stay away from foods that require excessive chewing such as hard or crunchy food and thick or large items that require you to open your mouth wide.
What is the treatment for a sore jaw?
A night guard for your teeth works to combat this issue by preventing them from coming together for you to clench and grind while you sleep. The device will relieve jaw and joint pressure helping your jaw to relax. Your dentist will discuss when and how long you should wear the night guard in order for you to heal accordingly.
At Able Family Dental in Lethbridge, TMJ treatment starts with a consultation with our doctors, where they examine your jaw, discuss your symptoms, and may take x-rays to determine the appropriate course of TMJD treatment. This could lead to various treatment options that will help alleviate your symptoms, or in more extreme cases, a referral to a TMJD Specialist.
If you are experiencing dental or jaw pain, seek TMJD treatment from Able Family Dental as soon as possible – give us a call to learn more, 403-327-7202.