TMD Treatment That Eases Jaw Pain [Video Guide]

Do you find it difficult to open your jaw all the way? Or maybe you experience frequent headaches or hear a clicking noise every time you chew? If so, you may be experiencing TMD. This disorder involves excessive strain on your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects your lower jaw to your skull. The joint is essential for chewing and jaw movement. But when your TMJ is experiencing too much stress or strain, everyday tasks become a major hassle. At Riviera Dental Care, we offer effective TMD treatment to ease jaw pain and reduce discomfort.

To learn more, schedule an appointment with us in Foley, AL!

What Is TMD?

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) refers to a range of conditions that affect your TMJ.

The temporomandibular joint functions like a ball-and-socket joint, similar to the hip, where the lower jaw connects to the base of the skull. Within this joint, there is a cartilage disc, similar to the meniscus in the knee, which helps facilitate smooth movement.

If the disc becomes displaced, damaged, or strained, it may disrupt jaw function and lead to symptoms such as:

• Limited jaw movement, making it difficult to open or close the mouth fully.
• Jaw locking, particularly when yawning or chewing.
• Facial muscle pain, particularly the muscles of mastication that control biting and chewing.
• Head and neck pain caused by tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles.
• Joint inflammation, which affects how the bite comes together.

TMD can have several causes, including stress, clenching, grinding, or injury to the joint. Because it presents in different ways, diagnosing and treating TMD requires an individualized approach based on the specific symptoms and underlying cause.

When you visit us in Foley, AL, we’ll take a look at your jaw and determine your next best steps.

Understanding TMD Treatment

In many cases, we may need to use a variety of treatments to help treat your TMD. Some treatments focus more on relieving pain and discomfort, while others target your jaw and muscles, forcing them to relax.

During your consultation, we’ll create a custom treatment plan tailored to you and your needs.

Depending on the severity and underlying cause of your condition, we may use any of the following TMD treatment options:

1. Splints and Oral Appliances: A TMJ splint will help create space within the joint, relieving tension, pain, and pressure. Some splints are designed to relax the muscles, reducing muscle-related pain.
2. Injections: Injections into the TMJ joint may help reduce inflammation and improve symptoms like your joint locking up when you open or close your mouth.
3. Botox(Botulinum Toxin) Therapy: Botox, Xeomin, or Dysport are often used to reduce muscle contractions in the masticatory muscles, relieving pain and tension. By blocking nerve signals to the muscles, Botox helps relax your overactive muscles and alleviate discomfort.
4. Physical Therapy: We use various physical therapy techniques to help improve jaw function, reduce pain, and alleviate TMJ-related headaches.
5. Over-the-Counter Medications: Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage pain and inflammation associated with TMJ disorder.
6. Home Remedies: Warm, moist heat or massage therapy may help increase blood flow, relax tense muscles, and reduce pain by flushing out lactic acid buildup.

Most often, we will use a combination of these treatments to reduce TMJ disorder symptoms and improve jaw function.

Treat Your TMJ Problems in Foley, AL!

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of TMD, we recommend visiting Riviera Dental Care! There, we can assess your jaw, find the root of the problem, and use a variety of treatments to alleviate your jaw pain. Depending on the cause of your TMD and your specific symptoms, we may use a combination of TMD treatments that target your TMJ and the muscles responsible for chewing. Whether you need Botox treatment or an oral appliance, we have a solution for you.

Book your consultation today to experience relief and treat your TMD symptoms.

Connect with Riviera Dental Care on Instagram and Facebook for more information on how treatments like Botox work.