Can TMJ Be Cured?

TMJ is a disorder affecting the jaw. It can cause pain and limited range of motion when opening and closing your mouth, among other symptoms. If you suffer from TMJ disorder, you may be wondering if it can be cured. Here are the options for short and long term treatment. 

What is TMJ?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the place on each side of your face where your lower jaw connects with your skull. These hinge joints allow you to open and close your mouth when chewing, speaking, yawning, singing, etc. TMJ disorder occurs when these joints become misaligned, strained, or otherwise irritated and inflamed. 

Causes of TMJ Disorder 

There are many possible causes of TMJ disorder, including: 

• Bruxism. If you grind your teeth together it puts excess strain on the TMJ.
• Clenching your jaw. Clenching your jaw due to stress or anxiety can cause the TMJ to become inflamed. 
• Eating hard or chewy foods. When you chew on hard candy, nuts, gummies, tough meats, jerky, and other firm foods it can irritate your TMJ. 
• Constantly chewing gum. Chewing gum all the time throughout the day leads to overuse of the TMJ. 
• Chewing on ice. Chewing ice is bad for your teeth as well as your jaw. 
• Chewing non-food items. Biting or chewing on pens, pencils, and other non-food items can cause TMJ. Opening packages or removing seals or tags with your teeth could do the same. 
• Arthritis. Arthritis is a condition causing inflammation and pain in the joints, which can also affect the TMJ. 
• Autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation throughout the body, which may reach the TMJ. 

Treatment for TMJ Disorder 

TMJ can be treated in a variety of ways. The following treatments may provide short term relief of flare ups: 

• Apply ice. Cold reduces inflammation, which can provide relief of the pain associated with TMJ. 
• Rest your jaw. TMJ can be caused by overuse, so resting it as much as possible by avoiding talking or singing may be helpful. 
• Eat a soft diet. Eating soft foods or sticking to liquids for a few days will allow the muscles and ligaments of the TMJ to heal. 
• Take anti-inflammatory pain medication. Over the counter pain medication such as ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory, meaning it targets and reduces inflammation in the body. 

These treatments may provide long term relief of your TMJ symptoms, in other words, a cure: 

• Mouth guard. Wearing a mouthguard at night can cushion your jaw and absorb some of the force of teeth grinding and jaw clenching. 
• Orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic treatment can realign your bite, which helps the upper and lower teeth meet together properly and reduces the strain on the TMJ. 
• Jaw surgery. Jaw misalignment can be corrected with surgery to reshape the jaw. 
• TMJ surgery. Severe TMJ may require surgical reconstruction of the joint, which typically provides long term relief. 

Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorder 

What can I eat when I have a TMJ flare up?

Eat soft foods that don’t require any chewing, such as pudding, yogurt, jello, mashed potatoes, smoothies, soup, and other soft foods. As you begin to experience relief, gradually work up to more solid foods such as scrambled eggs, pasta, and soft cheeses.  

I hear a clicking or popping sound in my jaw when I open and close my mouth. Is this normal? 

If your jaw pops or clicks when you move it, but there is no pain or limited range of motion, there may be no cause for concern. However, if you also have pain and you find it difficult to open your mouth very wide, you may need treatment. 

Schedule a TMJ Consultation Today

If you have any of the symptoms of TMJ, such as pain and limited range of motion in your jaw, schedule a consultation with Hewlett Dental Excellence today. We provide a wide range of treatment options for short and long term relief.

Call 516-569-5566 or contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment.