TMJ Treatment in Greenville, SC

TMJ Pain- Get Relief

What causes TMJ pain?

TMJ pain is, a group of disorders originating either from the temporomandibular joint or from the muscles that support it.

Common TMJ problems include: 

Muscle problems – Pain and Inflammation caused by excessive pressure on the muscles responsible for the movement of the jaw.

Joint problems – Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ.

The following conditions are considered as root causes of TMJ tooth pain:

Bruxism - Teeth grinding causes wear of the cartilage disc of the joint while teeth clenching is putting stress on the facial muscles.

Emotional stress and anxiety causing muscle tension.

Bite problems - Misalignment of the teeth, causing uneven pressure on mastication muscles.

Accidental injuries to the temporomandibular joint, jaws, or muscles.

Over-stretching of the jaw.

Disc problems – Damage or Dislocation of the cartilage disk inside the joint between the two jaws.

Several symptoms can give an indication that a toothache is actually caused by a TMJ disorder.

• A clicking or popping noise of the jaw when chewing or opening the mouth is the most common sign of TMJ problems.
• Pain in the jaw joint area, shoulders and neck.
• Headache or earache.
• Lock Jaw
• Inability to open the mouth very wide

TMJ Pain Relief-How to stop TMJ tooth pain:

If Dr. Daniel Nickles diagnoses a toothache as a TMJ pain, the only solution is the treatment of the TMJ disorder. Dr. Daniel Nickles has helped many patients, treating their problems of the temporomandibular joint.

Temporary TMJ pain relief can be achieved by using any of the anti-inflammatory pain medicines and muscle relaxers. Applying ice or hot packs can help in reducing muscle tension and relieving TMJ pain.              

Mild cases of TMJ pain, when the joint is not permanently damaged, can be treated with the following: a soft diet, careful and slow chewing, and stopping habits as teeth grinding or chewing gums.

Jaw exercises and massages have been proven to be very effective in relaxing the jaw muscles and reducing the joint irritation and pain. Stress management is another key treatment when pain is caused by tooth clenching. The use of a night mouth guard can help. Nightguards are usually advised if the TMJ pain is more intense in the morning after waking up.

Orthodontic treatment is required when the tension of the joint and muscle is caused by bite problems. TMJ surgery that may involve relocating or replacing the jaw joint disc is indicated only in cases of TMJ pain due to severe structural damage of the joint.

Thousands of people just like you suffer from TMJ and do not even realize they have it. Schedule your TMJ consultation today and get relief fast! We look forward to taking care of you.