Benefits of TMJ Treatment on Your Bite

The impact of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder on your bite can subsequently lead to other problems such as muscle pains, malocclusion, and tooth mobility. This can greatly affect the longevity of your smile as well.

A TMJ disorder is a major problem that prevents you from having a stable bite and a proper occlusion. When you're suffering from a TMJ syndrome, the joint that connect your upper and lower jaw is misaligned. This misalignment can cause pain in your jaw, face, neck, and shoulders.

There are TMJ treatment options you can choose from to restore the alignment of your upper and lower jaw. Once your specific TMJ condition is determined, you can use mouth guards or undergo TMJ exercises and bite therapy.

Doctors change the terms TMJ therapy or TMJ treatment interchangeably, which includes several options. On the first level, the treatment aims at pain relief by applying mouth guards or dental splints. In the next level, bite therapy principles are used to pinpoint the cause of the misalignment.

Using a TMJ mouth guard cannot be a panacea to the TMJ symptom. People who suffer from TMJ have weak joints. While it is true that a TMJ mouth guard can relieve them from pain, using the mouth guard can damage the join if used too often. Also, be wary of the consequences of using a TMJ mouth guard. Using one means you need to open your mouth all night thereby allowing the entrance of harmful bacteria into your mouth.

The use of mouth guards is not also recommended if the TMJ syndrome is due to hereditary causes or trauma. Other TMJ treatment such as TMJ exercises can be helpful in relieving the pain and strengthening the weakened joints.

TMJ or jaw exercises are done to relax the jaw and prevent them from clenching. Restoring the upper and lower jaw back to their normal alignment can be possible by performing TMJ exercises. This cannot be done on a whim though. Consultation with a dentist is always necessary. Dentists usually provide patients with appropriate TMJ exercises since each set would be different to meet your particular condition.

Use a mirror when performing a TMJ exercise to control your joint movement. The exercises will eventually help you control your jaw muscles and prevent jaw clenching.

The last TMJ treatment available is called the TMJ bite therapy. Dentists use this process to locate or pinpoint the cause of a TMJ syndrome since they usually differ according to the patient's personal circumstances. When successfully implemented, a TMJ bite therapy can provide long-term pain relief. Causes can vary from stress and just a bad habit that promotes jaw clenching.

These TMJ treatments are proven to be beneficial. In choosing the right treatment, consult a dentist in your area and make sure that you disclose all information related to the condition of your jaw. This will make it easier for the dentist to find the appropriate TMJ treatment for you.