Your oral health plays a bigger role in your quality of life than you may think. While a simple toothache is enough to make you feel miserable, chronic pain from TMJ disorders can feel even worse. After all, how much life can you do successfully - and find enjoyable - when you are dealing with headaches, migraines, earaches, tinnitus, neck pain, tooth pain, sensitivity, clenching, jaw pain, and more?
Yet, seeking treatment is tough because, let’s face it, when you aren’t feeling well physically or mentally, the last thing you want to worry about is having to undergo invasive jaw surgery to correct issues with your TMJ disorder.
Good news! You may not have to. There are non-invasive treatment options available that may allow you to avoid surgery and still find relief. And that makes it an effective way to improve your quality of life.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder involves pain and dysfunction within the temporomandibular joint for many different reasons. While trauma, misaligned bites, and arthritis may be the cause, they can also stem from poor posture, obstructive sleep apnea, and bruxism among other things.
Those who suffer from TMJ disorder often experience symptoms that vary in degree, sometimes intermittent - other times chronic. Without seeking treatment and getting to the root cause of TMJ pain, it will likely continue to return.
How TMJ Disorders Impact Quality of Life
TMJ disorders can impact your quality of life in so many different ways. Even getting through your daily obligations such as eating, yawning, talking, brushing your teeth, and flossing can be a challenge.
When you face these difficulties every day, it can begin to take a toll on your mental health. And, ultimately, your quality of life will begin to decline.
How Physiologic Dentistry Can Help TMJ Disorder
The body is made up of many different systems that ideally will work well together, with each system functioning with the other to find harmony within the body. When one system is off balance, it can impact the entire body.
Physiologic dentistry involves the study of the occlusal system which includes the teeth, gums, and jaw joints. And when you are dealing with issues, such as a misaligned bite or TMJ pain, it can impact your entire body. As a result, you will face a decline in your quality of life.
This branch of dentistry works to find where the systems are out of alignment - and attempts to begin the healing from that point. Because it can come from anywhere in the body, there are a few non-invasive treatments that may help:
- Strengthen the upper back muscles to improve posture
- Relieve pressure by touching your tongue to your front teeth on the upper jaw
- Practice breathing exercises to relax the jaw
- Make a conscious effort not to lean on your jaw
Follow through with any of your dentist’s recommended treatments, such as:
- Pain relief appliance
- TENS therapy
- Trigger point injections
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Muscle relaxer medication
- Heat/cold pack therapy
These treatments can restore healing and balance within the occlusal system helping to improve your quality of life - without surgery.
Non-Invasive Treatment for TMJ Disorders
At TMJ Wellness Center, we understand how debilitating TMJ pain can be. Using non-invasive treatments combined with the principles of physiologic dentistry, you will find the relief you are looking for.
Take back control of your overall well-being. Contact us today at 817-481-6888. Or request a consultation online.