Do you have pain in your jaw? Does it seem to lock up from time to time? Does it make a clicking sound when you chew food? If you have suffered from any of these issues, you may want to go to an oral surgeon to check and see if you have TMJ. TMJ is a disorder that affects your jaw bones and can cause pain and problems when chewing food. There isn’t a single cause for TMJ, though many believe it can be caused by excessive clenching of the jaw or by trauma to the jaw.
If you think you suffer from TMJ in Grove City, PA, you will want to visit an oral surgeon to get a proper diagnosis. If it is determined that your discomfort is TMJ-related, there are options to reduce the pain. You can first try more conservative methods to help reduce pain and inflammation. These include eating soft foods, applying ice packs to the jaw, learning techniques to help reduce stress and do some jaw stretching exercises to help increase jaw movement. If you have tried some of these techniques and they didn’t work for you, then you may need to seek out pain medication. Most oral surgeons who specialize in TMJ in Grove City, PA will prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or muscle relaxants depending on your need. In some cases anti-depressants will help to relieve pain. When anti-depressants are given in small doses, they can help to reduce inflammation.
If you have tried conservative methods and medication to no avail, your specialist in TMJ in Grove City, PA may recommend a stabilization splint or bite guard. A bite guard is a common treatment for those suffering from TMJ. It is something that fits over either the lower or upper teeth and helps to stabilize your jaw. It isn’t meant to be a permanent fix, but it should help to reduce pain in the short term and may reduce your overall symptoms. If none of the methods listed above provide relieve, you may need to try surgery. Surgery is by far the last resort and should be well-researched prior to making such an invasive decision. While surgery may help to ease your pain, it may cause other issues as well.
Bottom line, if you think you have TMJ in Grove City, PA, be sure to go to a qualified specialist to properly diagnose your issue.
