Jaw pain is the worst. It’s one of those things that you can’t truly understand until you’ve been through it. When your jaw is injuredor damaged it makes things that you normally take for granted painful. Swallowing, chewing, even talking or taking a deep breath can be painful.
If you are suffering from jaw pain or TMJ, please call our office today. We use non-surgical options for treating jaw pain, and we are here to help you.
What Causes Jaw Pain or TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints. These are the joints on either side of your head that make it possible for you to open and close your mouth. They come into action whenever you speak, chew, or swallow. They also control your lower jaw (mandible) as they move forward, backwards, and side to side. These joints consist of not just your jaw bone, but muscles and ligaments as well.
Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, discs and bones from working properly may result in a painful TMJ disorder most often described simply as Jaw Pain.
The most common causes of TMJ or Jaw Pain are dislocation, problems with the alignment of the teeth and jaw, stress resulting in teeth grinding, arthritis or injury. The resulting pain can be awful, almost debilitating.
There are treatment options available however, so if jaw pain or TMJ is hindering your lifestyle don’t despair.
How Does Dr. Vickie Greenberg Treat Jaw Pain or TMJ?
The most important thing to do before attempting to treat TMJ is to arrive at a proper diagnosis. Dr. Greenberg believes in the “less is best” approach to treatment, with the understanding that each patient is different and presents with their own unique set of symptoms and lifestyle.
This approach focuses on behavioral modifications such as eating softer foods, not chewing gum, and avoiding biting your nails. Since stress can be a factor, keeping aware of your stress levels and how you’re clenching your jaw is important as well. Using heat packs to alleviate the pain, and relaxation techniques to combat the tension in your jaw can be very helpful.
However, many cases of TMJ or jaw pain are much more severe, and require more intensive treatment. These cases may require fixing a jaw bite that is misaligned, or repositioning teeth that are causing an uneven bite. Dentofacial orthodontic devices may be recommended for treatment if it is deemed appropriate.
Dr. Greenberg believes firmly in treating the whole patient and not just their mouths. She understands that each case is different, and that every patient comes in with their own unique set of difficulties and hopes for treatment.
If you are struggling with jaw pain or TMJ, please don’t suffer another day! Dr. Vickie Greenberg uses her 20 years of experience, her compassion and empathy, and her every increasing expertise to diagnose each and every single one of her patients, and to design the best possible treatment plan. Please call our office today to schedule a consultation and get you back to being ashealthy and pain-free as possible!
