Effective Methods of TMJ Treatment in Castro Valley At My Valley View Dental

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the upper head (temporal) and lower jaw (mandible) bones meet just in front of the ear. TMJ dysfunction is a common medical problem that affects almost 720 million people around the world. It is caused by irritation or injury to the TM joint. It also causes pain, throbbing, joint "popping," and general soreness. But there are many ways to get help, so there is no reason for anyone to suffer. My Valley View Dental offers several ways to TMJ treatment in Castro Valley, either to lessen the symptoms or to get rid of them completely.

1. Jaw Rest: Resting the jaw is the most common way for TMJ treatment in Castro Valley. This is also the simplest, and almost all specialists will suggest it as a first step. The TM joint is one of the most overworked in the body. We use it to chew, talk, and yawn, among other things, so it doesn't get much rest. Resting the TM joint means eating soft foods like cooked veggies and fruit, cottage cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies, soup, and yogurt. It is not a good idea to chew gum, ice, or hard candies. And if you must eat food that needs to be chewed, cut it into small pieces so you don't have to open your mouth as wide.

2. Medications: Many Western doctors use traditional methods, like giving painkillers (like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.) or drugs that relax the jaw (like Valium, Celestone, etc.) to relieve pain and irritation in the stressed joint.

3. Stretching Exercises: My Valley View Dental will have you do some stretching exercises for TMJ treatment in Castro Valley to help you relax while you're awake. This will let your body fix and rebuild the muscles and other structures in your jaw, especially at the joint. Massage and electrical treatment can also make the joint less painful and help it move more.

4. Hot and cold: Heat and/or ice pack treatments work well for sudden flare-ups of the condition, and they also work well with massage therapy, an alternative treatment. Both hot and cold can make the tissues around a joint less swollen and stop muscle twitches, which lets the joint rest.

5. Bite Plates: Splints or bite plates are often used in dentists as a short-term TMJ treatment in Castro Valley. The splints fit between the upper and lower teeth and keep them apart. They are often called "night guards," but you can wear them during the day as well. In this way, they help stop the grinding and clenching of the teeth, which is called bruxism, and can ease pain and tension in the muscles. Since these aren't used for a long time, they won't change the shape of the teeth or mouth in a way that can't be fixed. Orthodontics may be needed when the teeth or the bone under them need to be moved or changed.

6. Surgery: In severe cases of TMJ dysfunction, a doctor like a maxillofacial surgeon may suggest arthroscopic surgery, such as tightening the ligaments or replacing the joint. But there aren't many clear results of successful TMJ surgeries, and the ones that are out there don't show that the pain will go away for good. Some people find that their pain gets worse after surgery, but for others who have tried many other treatments that didn't work, surgery is the only thing that helps.

Two other possible methods are:

1. Biofeedback: This method teaches you how to control things you can't change, like how tight your muscles are. Since tense muscles are a cause of TMJ pain, you can get rid of it by learning to relax and keep your muscles from getting tense.

2. Yoga: This method is also a good choice because it teaches you how to control your breathing.

TMJ is common, but My Valley View Dental has a number of effective standard and alternative treatments for TMJ in Castro Valley. You can live a happier, more comfortable, and more productive life with less pain, discomfort, and worry.