TMJ Treatment in Seattle and Tacoma

Every temporomandibular joint contains a disc located behind your jaw. There are two on each side of your head located behind your jaw. The (TMJ) disc lies between a ball and a socket and rests like a buffer between the two. The temporomandibular joint supports your jaw while it moves and operates. 

The temporomandibular joint cushions your jaw while you are chewing, talking, and engaging the muscles in your mouth. If this area tightens up or becomes hindered in some way, it may be causing you pain.

You must see your dentist and call 32 Pearls if you have any pain or discomfort at all anywhere in your mouth. TMJ could lead to a serious condition if not treated. Diagnosis is key to the improvement of your TMJ. 

• Pressure behind, or around ears.
• Pain when eating, chewing, swallowing, or yawning.
• Tenderness around areas of the face.
• A frequent headache.
• Neck pain
• Difficulty chewing.
• Muscle spasms around the face.
• Clicking or popping noises around the mouth area.
• Sore jaw.
• Have difficulty opening the mouth.

According to DentalGuide USA, 5 to 12% of the population has TMJ, which is roughly 10 million people in America.

Researchers believe that some woman may attribute their TMJ symptoms to high levels of estrogen due to birth control and other hormone-related issues.

Talking to your dentist at 32 Pearls will help relieve anxiety you may have concerning TMJ. There are methods to treat your pain, and the staff at 32 Pearls have a treatment plan and advanced healing options for you.

• Anxiety
• Frequent ear infections
• Allergies
• Facial neuralgias (nerve-related facial pain)
• Damaged cartilage around the face.
• Researchers believe that some woman may attribute their TMJ symptoms to high levels of estrogen due to birth control and other hormone-related issues.
• Auto-Immune diseases
• Infections
• Grinding or clenching teeth

Your symptoms will be thoroughly discussed with you, along with a thorough look at your medical history. Examination of problem areas, including your head, neck, face, and jaw, will be combined with state-of-the-art procedures such as x-rays and imaging studies. The staff at 32 Pearls will design and contour a specific plan for your TMJ treatment. 

There are many specific things you can do to treat your TMJ naturally. Your care team at 32 Pearls will teach you many techniques and methods to help you get quick relief.

A mouth guard may be made for you to improve mouth movements during sleep. Medication may be recommended for severe cases, including muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety, analgesics, and anti-inflammatory.

These are a few simple techniques to relieve TMJ.

• Do not chew gum.
• Eat softer foods.
• Avoid biting your tongue.
• Avoid nail-biting.
• Stop smoking or vaping.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages and soft drinks.
• Learn to relax muscles by relief of tension around your face.
• Meditation practice and self-controlled muscle movements. 
• Heat pack.s
• Jaw strengthening exercises.

• Jaw alignment may be your best bet against TMJ, including wearing Invisalign or braces to repair a mismatched bite.
• Adjustment and reshaping your teeth may be recommended to assist in the alignment of your bite.
• Orthodontic treatment and therapy could be the best-case scenario for you to repair the area of your mouth that attributes to a painful bite.