TMJ, also known as a temporomandibular disorder, can leave you with a lot of pain and discomfort. From migraines to trouble opening and closing your mouth to jaw, ear, and mouth pain, TMJ can significantly affect your overall mood and health. But don’t worry, there are treatment options! Speak with your doctor or a TMJ specialist for guidance on seeking proper help.
Take a look at these various treatment methods, so you don’t have to suffer from inconvenient TMJ symptoms any longer:
The Preventative Oral Device®
One of the best methods for treating a TMJ disorder, especially if it’s caused by clenching or grinding teeth, is wearing a proper nightguard. The Preventative Oral Device®, or POD®, is a specifically designed and internationally patented nightguard worn while sleeping.
This mouthpiece is used to prevent damage to your teeth and temporomandibular joint caused by clenching or grinding your teeth as you sleep. The space created between the teeth and the prevention of grinding and clenching from this device helps alleviate jaw pain, facial pain, and headaches caused by TMJ disorders.
Medications
Some medications can help relieve your pain and discomfort caused by TMJ. These medications include over-the-counter pain relievers, prescribed pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, tricyclic antidepressants, and muscle relaxants.
Therapies
Specific therapies and medical guidance can be a big help to those suffering from painful TMJ symptoms. One option is to seek help from a physical therapist who can teach you exercises that will stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles as well as guide you with other treatments involving ultrasounds, heat, and ice. You may also want to consider counseling with a professional who can properly educate you on what habits such as teeth clenching, grinding, or nail-biting are causing your pain and how to correct them.
Procedures
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary and your best option to help correct your injury. If these other methods aren’t working and improving your symptoms, your doctor may suggest various procedures to fix your temporomandibular joint. These procedures range in invasiveness and may involve simple injections, needles to remove fluid out of the joint, or open-joint surgery.
TMJ Treatment on Long Island
Dr. Scott Simonetti, a TMJ disorder specialist, is here to help diagnose and put an end to your pain and discomfort caused by a TMJ disorder. Visit our website or give us a call at (631) 277-4848 to learn more about our POD® night guard treatment and how we can help you.