What is a TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) occurs when there’s an issue with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is located on either side of your head near your ears and connects your lower jaw to your skull.
When there’s a problem with your TMJ, you may have difficulty eating and speaking. Fortunately, TMJ treatment is actually very simple and convenient with a Vivos appliance
The Causes of TMJ Disorders
The TMJ is a complicated area of the body, so it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a disorder. While we may not know everything about the causes of TMD, effective treatments are available and there are several common origins of TMJ issues.
Some causes of TMJ disorders may include erosion or displacement of the disk in the joint, joint cartilage damaged by arthritis, and joint damage by an impact.
Symptoms of TMD
If you experience the following symptoms, Dr. Henrichsen recommends scheduling an appointment to have your jaw looked at by a professional. These are all common symptoms of a TMD:
- Sore jawbone joint
- Inflammation in the jawbone or joint
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Aching face and jaw
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Headaches
TMJ and Arthritis: The Connection
Your TMJ can be affected by arthritis in several different ways. Osteoarthritis can wear down the cartilage around the disk in the TMJ and cause grating, pain, and misalignment of the jaw. Rheumatoid arthritis can also cause inflammation to your jaw and cause TMJ issues.
Minimally-Invasive Jaw Relief With Vivos
Vivos treatment has the ability to relieve jaw pain without the need for surgery. These issues are often caused by the structures around your jaw.
This revolutionary TMJ treatment works by slowly changing the structure of your mouth through the continued wear of a mouthpiece. These mouthguards look like sports mouth protectors, but they're designed to be comfortable while you sleep.
The mouthguard also protects your teeth from grinding against each other to relieve pressure in your jaw. Your appliance will also be portable and easy to carry with you if you're sleeping somewhere other than your home.
Exercises for TMJ Relief
Along with your treatment, there are exercises you can practice that may help relieve some tension and pain in your jaw.
Relaxation Exercises
Relaxation exercises can help to give your jaw muscles a break from tension and train them to hold less stress on a regular basis.
Breathing exercises can help you relax and tensing and relaxing each muscle individually can help you to work your way up to relaxing your jaw muscles.
Strengthening Exercises
Strengthening the muscles around your jaw can help them to better support your jawbone. This can help you manage pain when you have a flare-up.
One such exercise includes placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Then, try to open your mouth as much as you can. Another exercise involving your tongue on the roof of your mouth involves pushing your lower jaw forward as much as you can while keeping your tongue in place.