Debunking 4 Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Myths
Temporomandibular joint disorder is more commonly known as the TMJ disorder. It is a painful condition that causes a patient's face and jaw to feel tired, sore, and strained. Even simple tasks such as talking, opening your mouth, or chewing can cause uncomfortable bouts of pain. If you think you are suffering from the TMJ disorder, your dentist can help. Just be careful not to get too swept up in all the myths surrounding the condition before you get to the dentist for your appointment.
1. You Will Know If You Have TMJ Disorder
People think they'll know if they have TMJ disorder because their jaw will lock up. There are a lot of different symptoms, and a dentist will have to do an x-ray to determine if you do indeed have the disorder. Some of the symptoms can include pain when you yawn, headaches and earaches, a clicking of the jaw, tender jaw muscles, and pain behind the eyes. All the symptoms might not be present at the same time or at all, so you might not be able to tell if you have the disorder or not without a dentist's opinion.
2. You Can Only Treat TMJ With Surgery
A common misconception is you can only fix TMJ disorder with surgery. This is not true. There are other methods you can use, including medicine and therapy. There are a number of relaxation techniques and exercises that can help loosen your jaw muscles. A muscle relaxant might be prescribed to help with this issue as well. In some cases, if the TMJ has been caused by anxiety, your doctor might prescribe medication to address that as well.
3. A TMJ Headache Is The Same As A Migraine
People often think a migraine headache is the same as a headache caused by TMJ, but this is not the truth. The headache from a TMJ disorder starts in your jaws and not your head. You'll find that tightness in the neck and jaw accompanies the headache.
4. You'll Just Get Used To It
One final myth about TMJ disorder is that someone will get used to the pain over time. This is not true with TMJ. The pain is a constant discomfort and, without some form of intervention, will continue to disrupt your life.
Knowing the myths about TMJ disorder will help you deal with it if you happen to be diagnosed. It will also help you recognize the symptoms so you can get an accurate diagnosis from your dentist. If you have more questions about the symptoms and treatment of TMJ disorder, click for more information.
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