If you’ve ever felt pain, limited movement, or even a clicking sound in your jaw joint, chances are you’ve experienced Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD). Estimates suggest that TMD affects around 10 million Americans every year. The symptoms of the disorder can be chronic and periodic, meaning that many with TMJ disorder experience the effects routinely. But it’s not widely understood that there are a variety of treatments to minimize the symptoms of TMD. Whether you’re looking for at-home remedies for minor bouts of the disorder, or professional treatment from your dentist, we’ve got options for you!
Quality Dental Care is proud to provide our TMJ disorder treatment service to those around Omaha, NE. We understand that the symptoms of TMD are enough to affect the quality of your daily life. As such, our highly experienced team will work with you quickly and effectively. Before calling our Omaha office, learn more about how you can treat this common disorder.
What are the Common TMD Symptoms
The symptoms of TMD can vary depending on the cause and severity of your case. But some of the most common symptoms include: pain and stiffness in the jaw, clicking sounds, or the feeling of popping and grating in the as you open and close your mouth.
With simple at-home treatments, the signs and symptoms of minor TMD often fade within a week to a month. But if the symptoms continue or worsen within that timeframe, it’s important to seek out professional help. While at-home treatments can be very effective, your dentist is equipped to offer more complex and effective treatments.
TMJ Disorder Treatments
While the causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder are still somewhat mysterious to dentists and doctors, the treatments are usually more straightforward. For minor cases, it usually doesn’t take much to beat TMJ disorder. The main focus should be on limiting movement in the jaw. You can seek out soft foods and avoid common jaw stressors like chewing gum. In addition, it’s advised that you ice your jaw routinely. For pain, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers to make the disorder that much less uncomfortable as you recover.
For more severe cases, your dentist can provide more complicated treatments. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) or trigger-point injections can help to relax the muscles in your jaw. Or for joint-specific issues, there are surgical treatments available that allow a dentist to see the joint and clean it out with a fairly non-invasive technique.
Contact Quality Dental Care for Our TMD Treatment Service!
If you suspect you might be experiencing the symptoms of TMJ disorder, come on into Quality Dental Care for a consultation! You can call us at 402.431.8844. Or you can contact us here!