Health

All You Need to Know About TMJ

Published

2 years ago

January 5, 2022

Being in good health is vital and without this, life can be unbearable if you have to bear with jaw pain. When you experience pain on either side of your head in front of your ears, you might be suffering from TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is one of the most common pains that people experience from time to time. Luckily, if you are experiencing TMJ in Dundalk, you can get help at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center.

TMJ disorder 101

The temporomandibular joint is found at the point where your mandibles meet the skull on both sides of your head. The temporomandibular joint enables you to speak, yawn, drink, chew and do everything else that involves opening and closing your mouth. If any or both joints are aching, this can be an indication of TMJ, and you require to seek medical attention.

Apart from pain in these joints, some other symptoms and signs are associated with TMJ disorder, and they include the following:

Facial pain
Jaw locking
Difficulty chewing
Uneven bite
Tenderness in the jaw
Earaches
Headaches

Furthermore, when chewing or opening your mouth, you will experience other signs like a grating sensation and a clicking sound.

Causes of TMJ disorder

TMJ is a very complicated joint because of its structure and mechanism. It integrates sliding motions and hinge action to enable you to speak and chew. The bones are covered by cartilage, while the small disc acts as the shock absorber. Moreover, this disc also separates the bones to maintain smooth movement.

Due to the complex and heavy usage of this joint, it is susceptible to diverse kinds of damage that include the following:

Worn down or misaligned disc
Teeth grinding and excessive use due to clenching of the jaw
Arthritic damage of the cartilage
Acute trauma such as a blow to the head

There are cases whereby the TMJ disorder comes without any specific reason. Those who suffer from this TMJ disorder prefer using home remedies such as massage and relaxation techniques to ease muscle tension. However, when these techniques fail to work for you, it is high time that you should contact CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center.

TMJ disorder treatment and diagnosis

When you visit your specialist at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center, the physician performs an extensive examination to get to the root cause of your problem. They also review your medical history and do other advanced diagnostic activities such as taking the MRI or X-ray of your jaw. After that, they recommend the most appropriate treatment for your TMJ disorder. Severe cases may require surgery.

The kinds of treatment for TMJ disorder include the following:-

Corrective dental treatment
Oral medications
Botox injections
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Steroid injections

Do not allow TMJ pain to ruin your reason to smile or enjoy a bite of your favorite meal. If you are suffering from TMJ disorder, do not hesitate to book an appointment with your reliable physician at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.