November is TMJ awareness month. At Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake, our highly trained dentists want our patients to recognize the signs and symptoms of TMJ so they can receive the treatment they need to feel better. As part of TMJ awareness month, Drs. Mejia and Sepiashvili nailed down 4 facts about TMJ you need to know.
1. TMJ is Difficult to Diagnose
One of the facts about TMJ you need to know is that it’s not always a straight-forward diagnosis. During your next dental exam with us, we will listen to your jaw as it opens and closes to hear a clicking or popping noise. We will also evaluate your bite and ask you about other common symptoms of TMJ you might experience like migraines. If we suspect TMJ, we will run a series of x-rays and tests to diagnose you properly. Part of the diagnosis is determining what the root cause of your TMJ is. This information allows us to create the best treatment plan possible for you.
2. Women are Twice as Likely to Have TMJ Than Men
Unfortunately, women are twice as likely to develop TMJ than men. This is due to women being more prone to stress and medical conditions related to TMJ than men. For instance, arthritis is a cause of TMJ and is also more common in women. Hormone issues like undergoing hormone replacement therapy or taking oral contraception make women more likely to experience jaw pain. Women are also more likely to experience vitamin deficiencies like magnesium deficiencies which cause TMJ conditions. The bottom line: if you’re a woman, you’re more likely to experience TMJ than men.
3. There are Natural Remedies for TMJ
For immediate relief from your TMJ pain, there are a number of natural remedies to try. To start, avoid eating crunchy, hard foods and stick with softer foods instead. The less your jaw has to work, the more relief you will find. Applying moist heat or cold packs to your jaw several times throughout the day can help your jaw muscles feel less tense.
4. Not Every TMJ Treatment is the Same
Since not every patient experiences the same TMJ pain or has the same cause, not every TMJ treatment is the same. At Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake, we like to approach TMJ treatment by treating the root cause of your TMJ. Oftentimes treatments begin with neuromuscular dentistry to relax and bring the bite to its optimal position. Following neuromuscular dentistry, your smile may require a full-mouth restoration or wearing a night guard at night for long-term treatment.
Experiencing TMJ Pain?
If you suspect TMJ is the cause of your jaw pain, don’t wait. Give Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake a call to schedule an appointment with one of our neuromuscular dentists for an appointment. Reach us via our online contact form or by calling us!
