People dealing with the painful effects of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder may experience some relief from alternative therapies such as acupuncture and massage. Even if they’ve been frustrated with conventional medical treatment, they shouldn’t discount the possible treatment benefits offered by a dentist who provides TMJ Therapy in Milford CT. Contact Gregory J Schmitt DMD to learn more about therapy options.
A dentist is likely to begin by manually evaluating the patient’s bite and jaw joints. X-rays can help indicate problems as well. A dentist who provides TMJ Therapy in Milford CT will want to know whether any underlying conditions could be causing or aggravating jaw pain. Arthritis or chronic sinus problems are possibilities. A previous injury to the jaw may have led to the development of TMJ disorder. The dentist will want to know whether teeth grinding is a habit; not everyone even realizes they do this, especially if they do so while sleeping. Dentists can see the signs of enamel wear caused by habitual teeth grinding. The patient also should consider whether stressful times lead to worse episodes of TMJ pain.
After learning more about a particular patient’s circumstances, the dentist will know the best way to proceed. Interestingly, this health care practitioner is likely to focus on some holistic methods that will fit with the patient’s interest in alternative therapies. Relaxation techniques can help when stress leads to painful TMJ episodes, and they also can reduce the frequency of teeth clenching and grinding. The patient should become mindful of when he or she is clenching or grinding the teeth throughout the day so the habit can be broken. The action may automatically start while reading a book or watching TV, for example.
Magnesium supplements and other nutritional changes may have positive effects. Avoiding hard, crunchy and chewy foods for a few weeks may allow the jaw to heal and stop the symptoms from occurring again. Patients also should avoid chewing gum and eat food that requires the mouth to be opened very wide. The dentist may instruct the patient on jaw exercises that relax and stretch the muscles, making them less rigid.
