Do you suffer from any of these?
* pain in the neck and shoulders
* migraine and/or chronic headache
* jaw muscle stiffness
* limited movement or locking of the jaw
* painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
* ear pain, pressure, and/or ringing in the ears
* decreased hearing
* dizziness and vision problems
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you could possibly have a problem with your jaw – TMJ Disorders.
What is TMJ Disorders?
Temporomandibular Disorders (TMJD), commonly called TMJ, are a collection of poorly understood conditions characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding tissues and limitations in jaw movements. One or both joints may be affected in people with TMJD, which can affect a person's ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe.
NOTE: Jaw noises unaccompanied by pain or decreased mobility do not mean you have a TMJ problem.
Diagnosis of TMJ Disorders
Diagnosing TMJD can be difficult and confusing. For example, facial pain can be a symptom of many conditions, such as sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, and facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain). At present, there is no widely accepted, standard test to correctly identify all TMJ conditions.
In most cases, however, a complete evaluation, including a detailed medical history, the patient’s description of symptoms, and physical examination of the head, neck, face and jaw provide information useful for making a diagnosis. Tests that are recommended are often intended to rule out other possible medical conditions.
If you have recently experienced TMJ pain and/or dysfunction, you may find relief with some or all of the following therapies:
- Moist Heat: Moist heat from a heat pack or a hot water bottle wrapped in a warm, moist towel can improve function and reduce pain. Be careful to avoid burning yourself when using heat.
- Ice: Ice packs can decrease inflammation and also numb pain and promote healing. Do not place an ice pack directly on your skin. Keep the pack wrapped in a clean cloth while you are using it. Do not use an ice pack for more than 10 - 15 minutes.
- Soft Diet: Soft or blended foods allow the jaw to rest temporarily. Remember to avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy foods. Do not stretch your mouth to accommodate such foods as corn on the cob, apples, or whole fruits.
- Over the-Counter Analgesics: For many people with TMJ Disorders, short-term use of over-the-counter pain medicines or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as ibuprofen, may provide temporary relief from jaw discomfort. When necessary, your dentist or doctor can prescribe stronger pain or anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or antidepressants to help ease symptoms.
- Jaw Exercises: Slow, gentle jaw exercises may help increase jaw mobility and healing. Your health care provider or a physical therapist can evaluate your condition and suggest appropriate exercises based on your individual needs
- Relaxation Techniques: Relaxation and guided imagery can be helpful in dealing with the pain that accompanies TMJ dysfunction. Deep, slow breathing enhances relaxation and modulates pain sensations. Some have found yoga, massage and meditation helpful in reducing stress and aiding relaxation.
- Side Sleeping: Sleep on your side using pillow support between shoulder and neck.
- Relax Facial Muscles: Make a concerted effort to relax your lips, and keep teeth apart.
- Yawning: Use your fist to support your chin as you yawn to prevent damage to the joint and to prevent your jaw from locking open.
So, if you think you have TMJ Disorders..
1) FIRST, try eating soft foods, using ice packs and avoiding extreme jaw movements, like wide yawning and gum chewing. Short-term use of over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines may also provide relief. (see above)
2) AVOID treatments that cause permanent changes in the bite or jaw. This includes crown work, bridge work or orthodontics to change the bite, grinding down teeth (occlusal adjustment), or repositioning splints.
3) AVOID, where possible, surgical treatment. There have been no long-term studies to test the safety and effectiveness of these procedures.
source: www.tmj.org
SHARING A STORY
“I look perfectly normal so nobody believes I have this!”
Year 2009, month of June- a 23 years old not a girl, not yet a woman (hehehe) dinala sa Mindanao Medical Center
Halos lumipad ang sinasasakyan niya papunta sa hospital. But, pagpasok nila sa entrance ng ER bumalik na ang normal facial alignment niya. (Thanks God(A)!. Pumasok nalang sila sa ER then binigyan siya resita
Year 2010, month of May- that girl ni-rushed na naman papunta doon sa hospital, by this time together with her parents na.
05:00 PM on that day she was crying sa room niya kasi sobrang sakit ng ngipin niya (bag-ang gud! Upper portion- tooth decay! Eiw!) Hindi niya sinabi sa mga kasama niya sa bahay kasi ayaw niyang dalhin siya sa hospital kasi natatakot na naman siya baka mag undergo siya ng operation. She calm down, relax and tried to close her mouth. (Ang sakiiiiitt!) Hanggang sa nalaman na ng mama niya kasi ayaw siyang pagbuksan ng door. Actually she texted her mom na ayaw niyang kumain. Nagtaka mom niya bakit tenext pa. Ayun! Kaya pala kasi nag lock-jaw.
By this time,umabot na talaga sa loob ng ER at hinintay ang doctor. She was thinking kung ano ang gagawin sa kanya. Then 15 mins after niyang mag lie down, dumating na ang doctor. Ayan na.. papunta na sa babae. Nagsuot ng white gloves. Yung assistant niya may dalang mga medical apparatus, etc.. waaahh kakatakot! Hindi naman pala ginamit yung dinala ng assistant. Ano yun? Panakot lang?
Kinakausap siya ng doctor yun pala para hindi matatakot yung babae. Q&A portion ang drama! Hindi makasagot ng maayos ang babae. Pinasok ng doctor yung 4 fingers niya then nasa labas lang ang thumb niya. And then, hindi ko na alam anong ginawa niya so when the doctor said “Close your mouth..dahan-dahan lang” and bulaga! The girl can close her mouth na.
A day after that, she went to a dentist for tooth extraction as per adviced by her TMJ attending physician. The girl went to dental clinic accompanied by her special someone. Kinakabahan si girl kasi baka pagbunot ng dentist, mag lock-jaw na naman siya. The dentist noticed the alignment of her jaw nung bumuka na ang bibig ni girl. She told the girl na may TMJ disorder raw si girl. So, kinuwento niya ang nangyari. She worn a mouth guard. Almost 3 hours bago nabunot ang ngipin ni girl. Duguan.. medyo nahirapan ata si pretty dentist kasi may mouth guard. Si special someone pabalik-balik sa upuan then silip kay girl, pinagpapawisan.,lol. Hindi widely open ang mouth ni girl but nabunot parin ni pretty dentist ang ngipin. Ang bait at ganda ng dentist ni girl.
From then, hindi na nagka-lock-jaw si girl.
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