Nov
TMJ pain can be debilitating and cause a variety of health issues, including migraines, headaches, and neck or shoulder pain. Depending on what is causing your pain, Dr. Gregory R Cox of Rugby Dental Arts in Charlottesville can create a personalized treatment plan that will help to minimize your TMJ pain and discomfort. With proper treatment, the tension can be cleared away, making it possible for you to eat, speak, and chew efficiently.
In oral appliance therapy, a specially formed mouthguard will be created to keep your jaws in proper alignment. Using the mouthguard at night while sleeping will relieve the pressure caused by your jaws being in the wrong position. A specialized mouthguard will also train the muscles supporting your jaw to maintain proper alignment.
Facial exercises may also be needed to strengthen the muscles and soft tissues of the jaws and cheeks. Facial exercises will also improve the range of motion and help reduce any inflammation that the misalignment of the jaws may cause. Facial exercises should be performed several times daily to keep the tissues flexible and strong.
Wisdom teeth can crowd other teeth, pushing them out of alignment. Wisdom teeth may also put pressure on the bones at the back of the mouth. Extracting two or more of your wisdom teeth will open up the area, reducing pressure on the other teeth or the bones at the back of the mouth. Your dentist can identify when wisdom teeth may start to cause a problem and recommend that they be removed.
Regular dental care can identify potential problems before they start to cause you pain. It’s important that you visit your dentist once a year to ensure that everything is going smoothly with how your mouth is functioning.
Don’t let TMJ pain get out of hand. Visit Rugby Dental Arts and Dr. Gregory R Cox in Charlottesville if you are experiencing any TMJ pain or discomfort. New patients should call (434) 443-8034, while existing patients need to call (434) 296-8034. Dr. Bearley can create effective treatment plans to help control your pain.