TMJ Treatment is Available - You Do Not Have to Live in Pain

If you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, you likely live with pain. Headaches, migraines, back/neck pain, facial pain, clicking or popping of the jaw and limited mobility of the jaw are all symptoms of this disorder. TMJ treatment is available and can really make a difference in your quality of life. You do not need to deal with the pain any longer.

Over the counter pain relievers can help alleviate some discomfort, but they will not resolve the root issue that is causing the symptoms. Typically, if you are experiencing symptoms then you likely have some inflammation of the temporomandibular joint. This inflammation might be caused by grinding or clenching your teeth, or might simply be a result of the joints not working together for some undisclosed reason. Regardless of the cause, you should seek relief as soon as possible. Unlike some disorders, this one does not usually resolve itself.

There are a couple types of TMJ treatment available. While you may think to first visit your general practitioner, you really need to see your dentist. Not all dentists can provide help with this, but you should at least be able to get a referral for one that can help you. Your dentist may recommend a special splint to help alleviate pain and allow the inflammation to calm down. Sometimes massage is helpful also. There may be some alternative options that are non-traditional, and you should be willing to give these non-traditional options a try.

Since this issue is fairly common, it should be a covered expense for your health insurance. If not, you will want to inquire to see what types of fees are involved. Your dentist may have financing options available to help you afford the treatments. Keep in mind that regardless of cost, you are going to have to have this situation remedied if you are ever going to find relief. Also, the disorder will likely only worsen with time.

If your dentist does not offer help for this disorder and he cannot recommend someone, you will have to do a bit of homework on your own. You may know someone else who has suffered from the same disorder. If so, ask them where they got help and if they would recommend the doctor that treated them. You may also want to ask your general practitioner if he recommends someone that can help you with this disorder.

Whatever you do, seek help as soon as you can. You can take over the counter medicines (like ibuprofen or naproxen) to minimize swelling and inflammation, but consider these remedies to be like putting a band-aid on a broken bone. They may help temporarily, but they will not solve the problem. Also, keep in mind that TMJ treatment may take a while. You will not likely see immediate results. However, if you are seeing consistent, measurable progress then you know you are heading in the right direction.