May 19, 2017

TMJ disorder is a broad term used to describe discomfort or functional issues associated with the complex temporomandibular joints that hinge your jaw. Common symptoms include significant discomfort or moderate pain in the joints when biting down hard. At the same time, many people struggling with TMJ disorder also complain of a dull ache in the muscles of the joints and in front of the ears.

Professional diagnosis at Nuttall Smiles’s Auburn, Washington orthodontic clinic can help develop an effective treatment plan for remediation of TMJ disorder symptoms.

This often starts with simple lifestyle changes like eating softer foods, applying ice packs, and performing some basic jaw stretching exercises. Your orthodontist might also advocate taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medications.

Sleeping with a quality dental guard in your mouth can help cushion the relationship between both sets of your teeth. It can also allow a little slip during the unconscious grinding to reduce tension in the muscles and ligaments caused by chronic night grinding. This is even more likely to be the case if you suspect your TMJ disorder symptoms are related to grinding your teeth at night on a regular basis.

If this doesn’t provide significant improvement within a few weeks, we might advocate more advanced treatment strategies. This could call for the use prescription anti-inflammatory medication or muscle relaxers.

If your discomfort persists, your orthodontist will discuss more invasive treatment methods. This might include acupuncture, a stabilization splint, or surgical intervention.

If you live in the Auburn, Washington area and you’ve been struggling with TMJ discomfort, you should call (253) 939-0700 to develop an effective treatment strategy with the orthodontic specialists at Nuttall Smiles’s clinic.