TMJ Disorders and Dental Work: 3 Helpful Tips

Many people suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. This complex joint, situated at the point where the jawbone meets the skull on each side of the head, can fall prey to injuries, gradual deterioration, or chronic tension, producing everything from limited jaw motion to pain and clicking noises when you chew.



While TMJ disorders can produce plenty of unhappiness from day to day, they pose special challenges when you need to undergo extended dental evaluations or procedures. If jaw pain makes you dread the thought of your next dental appointment, follow these three helpful tips to make the experience easier.

1. Get the TMJ Disorder Under Control

TMJ disorders can respond well to many home care practices and conservative treatments. If you know you need dental work that might require you to hold your jaws open to an uncomfortable degree, you'll want to minimize TMJ's effect on your life before you ever go in for that appointment.

Many TMJ problems actually relate to underlying dental alignment problems. For instance, people whose upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly often experience chronic jaw tension and bruxism (tooth grinding), resulting in TMJ pain and stiffness. Your dentist can customize a night guard to ease the stress and reduce your symptoms.

Other smart self-care strategies can also help you tame your TMJ disorder in anticipation of a big dental procedure. Eliminate triggering behaviors such as chewing gum and resting your jaw on your hand. Apply moist heat or ice to reduce inflammation as needed. Switch your diet around so that it features soft foods.

Although some TMJ issues involve damage to the cartilage within the joint, others stem from chronic muscle tension and pain. Since emotional stress can contribute to this problem, look for ways to reduce stress in your life. If you can’t avoid common stress triggers, try treatments such as acupuncture and massage.

Sometimes you can ease TMJ symptoms by building the strength and flexibility of your jaw muscles. Ask your dentist about gentle jaw exercises that you can perform safely to help normalize your jaw function.

2. Take the Best Possible Care of Your Teeth and Gums

If you want to avoid long, tiring procedures in the dentist's chair, make an effort to prevent the conditions that might force such procedures. Maintain a thorough, regular brushing and flossing routine to reduce your risks for cavities, gum disease, and other issues that require dental treatment.

You can also spend less time at the dentist's office by protecting your teeth from injuries. For instance, the same hard foods that tire your jaws may also promote tooth breakage. When you steer clear of these foods, you may avoid the need to receive permanent crowns. You can also use a mouth guard to protect your teeth during athletic activities and avoid the need for crowns there, too.

3. Plan Your Upcoming Procedure With Your Dentist

Your dentist needs to know if you suffer from TMJ symptoms before you undergo a demanding procedure. X-rays can help your dentist determine whether a TMJ disorder causes your pain and stiffness. This step not only helps your dentist plan more comfortable care, but it may also reveal how the dentist can treat the disorder itself.

Not all dental procedures require you to sit for uninterrupted hours with your jaw propped open. Some, such as root canal therapy, often get divided into multiple sessions. Even when you can't pursue this strategy, your dentist will happily let you take breaks during the procedure so you can rest your jaw.

Since stress and tension contribute to TMJ issues, ask your dentist about your sedation options beforehand. Most dental sedation provides deep relaxation without knocking you unconscious, permitting you to communicate with your dentist throughout the procedure while keeping stress-related muscle tension at bay.

Pittsburgh Dental Spa offers the ideal combination of skill, experience, and knowledge to help you cope with or even eliminate your TMJ. We’ll be sure to use strategies, including sedation dentistry, which allow you to get the dental care you need with less discomfort. Contact our office for an appointment.