![]() ![]() Physiotherapy treatments, such as ultrasound and gentle jaw exercises, can be helpful. If these are not enough, muscle relaxants or a small dose of a medicine called a tricyclic antidepressant can give added pain relief. Painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine can help. There is no definite evidence from research trials that they work but some people find them helpful. These cover the teeth at night to reduce clenching of the jaw and can be made by dentists. Splints or bite guards are sometimes suggested. Other treatments are relaxation and stress-reducing therapies - presumably because people tend to clench their jaw when they are stressed, or because stress makes pain worse. Improving posture can help - for instance, when sitting in front of a computer for a long time.Massaging the muscles and applying warmth can help.Also, avoid opening the mouth very wide - so don't do too much singing and try not to yawn too widely.You can rest the joint by eating soft food and not using chewing gum. ![]() At rest, try to keep your teeth slightly apart and your tongue resting in the bottom of your mouth.There are various treatments which are often used in combination: Most problems in the jaw joint can be helped with simple treatments such as painkillers and advice on how to rest the joint. What is the treatment for temporomandibular disorders? This may be used if other tests do not show the cause of the pain. Use of a fibre-optic device (arthroscopy) to look inside the joint.An MRI scan or CT scan can be used to give a detailed picture of the joint.X-rays may be used to assess your teeth and to look for any fractures, joint dislocations, or severe wear and tear (degeneration) of the jaw joint.Blood tests which may be helpful to look for signs of inflammation, or to rule out other causes of pain in that area. ![]() if your symptoms don't settle with simple advice and treatment then you may be referred to specialist for tests and further treatment. In many cases, no tests are necessary if you are healthy and have symptoms that are typical of a TMJ disorder. Often, the diagnosis is made on the basis of your symptoms and a doctor's examination. How are temporomandibular disorders diagnosed? ![]() Injury to the TMJ or to its cartilage disc can cause TMJ pain.For example, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are both types of arthritis which may affect various joints in the body and they can sometimes affect the jaw joint. This problem tends to affect older rather than younger people. Sometimes this is due to a type of arthritis called osteoarthritis. Wear and tear to the inside of the joint - for example, wear and tear to the cartilage.Some doctors call this type of problem a pain syndrome because the exact cause of the pain is not known. We don't know why this happens but it may be linked to stress, or to some other process which affects pain sensitivity. For example, there are some rare kinds of movement disorders (called orofacial dystonias) which cause excessive jaw clenching. Rarely, other conditions make the jaw muscles overactive.Overuse of the jaw muscles, such as habitually chewing gum, or biting nails.People also clench their jaw during the day if they are feeling tense or anxious. This can occur if you clench your jaw a lot during sleep, which is quite common. Problems with the muscles may be caused by: The muscle problems are the most common type, particularly for younger people. Problems linked to the muscles working the joint.These factors can be grouped into two types: In general, TMDs are thought to have a 'multifactorial' cause, meaning that there are usually a number of factors contributing to the cause. Because the ear is very close to the jaw joint, some people develop ear symptoms such as:.These noises can be normal, so they are only relevant if you have other symptoms in the joint, such as pain or reduced movement. Clicks or noises can sometimes be heard coming from the jaw joint when you chew or move your mouth.Very rarely, the jaw may become 'locked', causing difficulty in opening or closing the mouth. This may be a general tight feeling or a sensation of the jaw getting stuck. The pain is usually located just in front of the ear and it may spread to the cheek, the ear itself and the temple. What are the symptoms of temporomandibular disorders? The joint is lubricated by fluid called synovial fluid. There is also a cartilage disc within the joint. Inside the jaw joint, there is a smooth material called cartilage, covering part of the bones. Muscles attached to the skull and jawbone cause the jawbone to move as the mouth is opened and closed. The jaw joint allows movement between the jawbone (mandible) and the skull. Joints allow movement and flexibility between two bones. A joint is the place where two bones meet. ![]()
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