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Not All Specialists Have the Remedy for TMJ Dysfunction

By: Angel Wingert


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A chronic headache was this man's complaint when he stepped in the dentist's office in New York. He was desperate for a cure but unfortunately, among the specialists whom he consulted didn't have the remedy.

Good enough, this dentist was able to spot a lower jaw problem called TMJ or temporomandibular joint dysfunction which proves to be curable. The exact same problem also brought trouble on a Virginia woman's neck and facial pains which were incorrectly diagnosed as arthritis, terrible earaches in another woman, and sinus pain in another. The TMJ condition is forgotten most of the time which is a bad thing because this condition has the ability to imitate a vast variety of symptoms and sickness. TMJ dysfunction causes unrelated symptoms which make victims consult different doctors. With this, problems such as the inability to open or close the mouth are felt by these victims. In fact, others experience a lot of pain such as migraines, sinus problems, atypical facial pain mimicking a tic douloureux or a temporal arteritis, or a neck or shoulder pain. However, dizziness, tinnitus or ear ringing, or subjective hearing loss can be felt by people who don't suffer from pain.

Actually, pain plays a big factor because it is what makes them neurotic, and not neurosis that causes the pain. The temporomandibular joint is located in front of the ear, where the mandible or lower jaw hinges to the skull. The joint can get out of adjustment if when biting or yawning, the jaw is opened too wide.

The most common causes for this are when clenching or gnashing of the teeth is practiced by people under tension or stress. The equilibrium of muscles and ligaments that control movement in the joint is upset once it is affected. Muscle spasms will be felt due to a painful state. Within muscles, there are areas that are highly sensitive called trigger areas where pain is radiated from.

The trigger areas of TMJ muscle system stretches agonizing aches in the jaw and teeth areas and also in any part of the head, neck, and shoulders. Patients are puzzled because when mouth is being opened, jaw pains are relieved but then, it worsens upon chewing, speaking, and brushing of the teeth for in the process, jaws are clenched and teeth are grinded.

To help pinpoint TMJ dysfunction, tests which he says can be done by any physician or dentist in a minute. By simply listening by ear or with a stethoscope, any clicking or creptitus noises could be heard when the jaw moves. To make things easier, one can detect any spasm by simply feeling the TMJ on each side as well as the muscles.

In some cases, restoration of balance in use of jaw muscles is needed. Just a set of simple exercises would be done by them aside from their obvious efforts in chewing on the other side as well. One of the exercises would be the tip of the tongue is placed far back on the roof of the mouth while mouth is opened wide. Next would be to move jaw a few times away from the weak side to strengthen the muscles.

To ease spasm, eating soft foods and applying moist heat for 10 minutes three times in a day to both sides of the face must be done by patients. Putting up clinics for TMJ dysfunction are what many hospitals and dental schools have been doing recently. This goes to show that a wider segment of medical and dental professionals are now paying heed to the importance of TMJ problem.

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