TMJ Treatment in New Port Richey, FL
To find a cure for your frequent headaches or jaw pain, you may make an appointment with your physician. However, contacting our dentist at Orange Grove Dental may be a better choice. As with most dental professionals, they are experts of the head, neck, and mouth. If you have head or earaches, they can diagnose them and suggest a TMJ treatment near you.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disease or disorder. The pain you experience can come from either or both sides of the head at once. These joints are in front of the ear and allow the mouth to open and close while chewing food, speaking, or yawning. There are several reasons for jaw pain, including:
- Arthritis
- Teeth grinding
- Clenching teeth
- Teeth or jaw misalignment
- Injuries to the jaw(s)
- Stress
- Gum chewing
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Problems
You need to disclose all your symptoms whenever you have pain so that our dentist in New Port Richey, FL, can accurately diagnose the problem. Some of the symptoms of TMJ include:
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Pain in the jaw, temple, or ears
- Sore or stiff jaw muscles
- Headaches
- Popping in ears
- Locking jaw
Stress can be a significant factor with TMJ, so you should reduce stress as much as possible. Our dentist may suggest meditation, hot baths, or stretches to help you relax.
Home Treatments for the Jaw
Our dentist near you may suggest a home TMJ treatment to reduce pain or help your jaw muscles relax. Some of the home treatments include:
- Holding an ice pack to your jaw
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Gently stretch the neck and jaw
- Massaging neck
If home treatments don’t work, consult with our dentist, and they may treat this problem with:
- Neurotoxin shots
- Dental splints
- Prescription drugs
- Jaw exercises
- Surgery to correct jaw misalignments
If you have TMJ symptoms, make an appointment with our dentist at Orange Grove Dental to determine the cause of your jaw disorder. Our dentist in New Port Richey, FL, can help diagnose the TMJ and provide you with the best TMJ treatment to help resolve the issue.
