TMD or Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is the umbrella term that is used to describe the pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints and the muscles that move the jaw during tasks like chewing (mastication), singing or yawning. TMD can be caused by a multitude of different reasons and experts in both the medical and dental fields are still unable to pin down one single cause of this condition.
Some of the symptoms that people may experience if they have TMD or TMJ pain in Idaho Falls include face, jaw, neck and shoulder pain, trouble chewing along with the tendency to get “lock” jaw and hear a clicking or popping sound in the jaw when trying to chew or talk. These symptoms can range from excruciating to just somewhat annoying. Regardless of the amount of pain you’re experiencing it’s essential to your physical as well as emotional health to find out what treatment options are available to you, especially if your TMJ pain is on-going.
However, with so little known about what exactly causes TMJ pain in Idaho Falls, it can difficult to know where to go for TMJ pain treatment. Below you’ll find out common steps that are taken in order to treat TMJ pain and where to go if you’re suffering from TMD.
Where Do I Go If I Have TMD?
Since the cause of TMD is widely debated and each individual may have a different variety of symptoms through various causes, it’s difficult to know where to go when you think you may have TMD. Additionally, there is no certifications or degrees required for a “TMD specialist” so there is no real standard of practice, according to this article. As a precaution, Comfort Sleep Solutions who specializes in the treatment of TMD and TMJ pain in Idaho Falls, recommends scheduling an appointment with a general physician to rule out other conditions that have similarities to TMD. After you have visited an accredited medical doctor the next person you will want to discuss your symptoms with is a dentist, preferably one with a background in treating TMJ cases. A dentist will be able to determine whether or not your symptoms are caused by TMJ or dental maladies such as an abscessed tooth or crossbite. If both you dentist and medical doctor diagnosis your symptoms as TMD related, they will then recommend you to a TMJ pain specialist in Idaho Falls. A TMJ pain specialist will have a better chance of narrowing down the cause of your TMD and provide you with a treatment plan that is timely and effective. To schedule a consultation with the TMJ specialists at Comfort Sleep Solutions, click here.
How Will My TMD Be Treated?
Just like fingerprints, the diagnosis and treatment of an individuals TMJ pain in Idaho Falls is unique and will vary between patients. Although, generally speaking, there are some commonalities that run throughout every treatment plan provided by a TMJ specialist. Treatment plans for TMD will include at least one or more of the following:
- At-Home Treatment – From over the counter pain medicine, hot and cold compresses to mouth exercises you can perform at home, there are many at home treatments your TMJ specialist you recommended before trying more expensive and time-consuming treatment options. You can find more information about TMJ at home treatments, here.
- Therapy – If at-home remedies don’t seem to eliminate or reduce the symptoms of TMJ pain in Idaho Falls, the next step is getting therapy. Therapy for TMD can be in the form of oral appliances such as mouth guards or oral splits, weekly physical therapy, or counseling to help reduce stress or behaviors that exacerbate TMJ pain.
- Surgery – For extreme cases of TMD, surgery may be a final option to alleviate or eliminate the pain associated with this condition. Along with surgery, some people who have TMD will have Botox injections that can help reduce the pain associated with TMD.
If TMD is negatively affecting your day-to-day life, it’s time that you received the treatment you deserve in order to reduce or eliminate TMJ pain entirely. Contact Comfort Sleep Solutions today to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
