If you’re experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or difficulty chewing, it might be TMJ disorder, a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint that connects your jaw to your skull.
Daily activities and overall comfort can be affected by this frequently uncomfortable and even impairing problem.
Thankfully, TMJ disorder in Abu Dhabi is becoming more widely acknowledged and treated by qualified dental and medical specialists for people who live in or go to the United Arab Emirates.
In this article, we’ll explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of TMJ disorders available to help you find long-lasting relief and improve your quality of life.
Table of Contents
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorders are conditions that impact the muscles and ligaments that surround your jaw joints. These disorders can lead to a number of problems, such as headaches, jaw discomfort, and trouble opening and shutting your mouth.
These problems may be referred to as TMJ. However, “TMD” stands for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, but “TMJ” refers to your actual jaw joint. Temporomandibular joint disorder is another term for it.
Temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are located right in front of your ears on either side of your face. Your TMJs facilitate speech and chewing by joining your lower jawbone to your skull.
What Are The Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?
The following are possible signs of TMJ disorders:
- Tenderness or pain in the jaw.
- One or both temporomandibular joints may be painful.
- Ache in and around the ear that hurts.
- Experiencing discomfort or difficulty during chewing.
- A painful ache in the face.
- Joint locking, which makes mouth opening and closing difficult.
- A headache.
- Discomfort in the neck.
- Eye discomfort.
- Jaw discomfort that coexists with toothache.
Other symptoms of TMJ issues include a clicking sound or a grating feeling when you chew or open your mouth. However, you won’t require treatment if your jaw clicking isn’t causing you any pain or limiting your range of motion.
Main Causes of TMJ Disorder
TMD doesn’t have a single cause. However, a variety of conditions or a mix of factors may be to blame.
Causes of TMJ can include:
- Injury to the jaw (such as a fractured or dislocated jaw).
- Bruxism (which is the grinding or clenching of teeth).
- Your jaw joint has arthritis.
- Your teeth may not fit together perfectly, a condition known as malocclusion.
- Stress.
How To Avoid Making TMJ Disorder Worse?
Sometimes the causes of TMJ problems are beyond your control. However, some behaviors may worsen TMD, such as:
- Use your teeth as implements (such as ripping off tags from clothes).
- Bad posture. (This could put unnecessary stress on the muscles in your face, shoulders, and neck.)
- One common nervous habit is chewing on pens, pencils, or other objects.
- Excessive gum chewing or chewing on ice.
- Consuming large portions of food. (This may cause your jaw muscles to overwork.)
- Teeth grinding or clenching during the day.
- Sleeping on your stomach.
TMJ Disorder Treatment
Your dentist may recommend more than one treatment option to be done simultaneously.
Medications
The following medications may help reduce TMJ disorder pain:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers: Your doctor can prescribe strong painkillers, including prescription-strength ibuprofen like Advil, for a brief period of time if over-the-counter painkillers are insufficient to treat TMJ discomfort.
- Tricyclic depression medications: The primary purpose of these medications, such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), is to treat depression. However, they are occasionally used in small dosages to reduce pain, manage bruxism, and aid with insomnia.
- Muscle relaxants: These drugs are occasionally used for a few days or weeks to reduce discomfort from TMJ disorders brought on by muscle spasms.
Treatments
There are a few treatments for TMJ disorders that don’t involve drugs, including:
- Self-care: Applying heat or ice, avoiding teeth clenching, gum chewing, and nail biting, and practicing good resting jaw posture can ease the symptoms of TMJ disorders.
- Using mouthguards: Jaw pain can be reduced by wearing mouthguards.
- Physical therapy: Mouth exercises and stretching can help strengthen the jaw muscles and reduce pain.
- Different treatments: Treatments like ultrasound and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, also known as TENS, can be effective in helping TMJ disorders.
- Counseling: Counseling can help you understand the factors that may worsen your pain, like teeth clenching or grinding.
TMJ Disorder In Abu Dhabi
If you are experiencing any of the TMJ disorder symptoms that we have discussed, you probably need to see a dentist.
If you have TMJ disorder in Abu Dhabi, then you should head straight to Davinci Dental Clinic.
There you’ll find highly qualified dentists who can help you through your journey to get rid of the TMJ disorder, whether by using medication, treatment, or even surgery.
Contact us today, and enjoy a pain-free jaw and restore your health.
Conclusion
There is no need to suffer constant pain or discomfort if you have TMJ disorder in Abu Dhabi. You can significantly improve your jaw function and general well-being by being aware of the symptoms, figuring out what is causing them, and getting the appropriate care from trained specialists.
Professional care is easily accessible to help you manage or even get rid of your TMJ problems, whether you live in the UAE or are just visiting.
Take the first step toward long-lasting comfort and a healthy, pain-free smile by speaking with a dental professional. Don’t let jaw pain interfere with your day-to-day activities.
Read More: Best Composite Veneers in Abu Dhabi.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I permanently fix my TMJ?
Treatments may involve transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and ultrasonography in addition to jaw muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. Additionally, stretching and moist heat work well when used often throughout the treatment.
Is TMJ medical or dental?
A dentist will treat TMJ disorders unless they are caused by a dislocation or crack in the joint. When a joint dislocation or deformity necessitates surgery, an oral surgeon will perform the procedure in conjunction with your dentist.
Is jaw surgery for TMJ worth it?
Misaligned jaws can be fixed by orthognathic surgery, or jaw surgery. It can be used to treat obstructive sleep apnea, malocclusion often known as bad bites, and TMJ disorders. The procedure is complex and requires a significant amount of downtime. However, its success rate is close to 94%.
