Everything You Need to Know About the Jaw

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The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the point where two bones meet on each side of your jaw. Information technology connects the lower jaw to the bone at the side and base of your skull, called the temporal bone. The TMJ acts similar a sliding hinge, allowing the jaw to move upwards and down and to the sides when you lot consume, talk and yawn. Yous can locate information technology past placing your fingers only in front of your ears and opening your oral fissure.

TMJ problems can be painful and disruptive — so if you have TMJ pain, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor can talk with you about treatments for TMJ disorders, including simple exercises you can endeavor at habitation.

TMJ disorders are conditions that affect the joints and muscles that control movement of your jaw. These disorders are common — researchers estimate that at to the lowest degree 10 one thousand thousand Americans accept TMJ bug, and the number may be much higher.

Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:

• Pain or tenderness in your confront, especially around your jaw, ears and temple
• Problem chewing or pain while chewing
• Trouble opening your rima oris all the way
• Locking of your jaw in the open or closed position
• Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when you lot move your jaw
• Headaches, toothaches or changes in the mode your teeth fit together
• Earaches or ringing in your ears (also called tinnitus)

In many cases, the exact cause isn't clear. TMJ disorders may exist linked to a combination of factors including:

• Genes
• Other health weather condition, like arthritis
• Trauma or injuries to the jaw or face up

Full general clothing and tear and stress on the joint can also play a part.

What Are the Treatments for TMJ Disorders?

Treatments for TMJ depend on how severe your symptoms are. To starting time, your doctor will probably recommend elementary self-management techniques, such as:

• Fugitive habits that put tension on your TMJ, like clenching your jaw, resting your mentum in your paw when sitting downwardly or grinding your teeth
• Fugitive hard or glutinous foods that put strain on your jaw muscles — and switching to soft foods like soup or pasta
• Applying a heat or cold pack to the side of your face
• Taking pain relievers similar ibuprofen
• Gently exercising or massaging the muscles around your jaw

If you desire to try TMJ physical therapy exercises, your doc or a physical therapist can show you how.

If you take severe symptoms, your doctor may recommend other treatments, including muscle relaxants, cerebral behavioral therapy or injections. But thankfully, TMJ symptoms usually get improve on their own or with gentle, non-invasive treatments.

How Practise TMJ Concrete Therapy Exercises Work?

Doctors ofttimes recommend physical therapy exercises as a get-go-line treatment for TMJ disorders. Farther research is still needed on the effectiveness of concrete therapy as a handling for TMJ. But some studies have shown that exercises and transmission therapy can reduce hurting and increase function in people with TMJ disorders.

The overall goals of concrete therapy for TMJ are to relieve pain, increase movement in your jaw and become you lot dorsum to normal functioning again. Exercises that may be effective include:

• Stretching the soft tissue around your jaw and neck muscles to slowly increase how wide y'all tin open up your jaw
• Strengthening the muscles that pull your jaw backwards (to take strain off the muscles that pull your jaw forwards and side-to-side)
• Massaging the soft tissue and muscles around your TMJ, temples and neck to salve tension and improve motility
• Preparation to improve your posture

In most cases, symptoms improve after a few weeks of working with a physical therapist and post-obit instructions for self-management at home.

Can I Exercise TMJ Treatment Exercises at Home?

Your dr., dentist or physical therapist tin show you lot how to massage your TMJ. They can too teach you exercises to stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles. You can do these exercises at dwelling house a couple of times a day, at a time when yous're relaxed and have a few moments to yourself.

Mutual massage techniques and exercises that you can practise at home include:

• Masseter massage — You'll employ your fingers to apply a small amount of pressure level to the side of your cheek merely beneath your cheek bone. Then motility them in a downward motion on repeat for nearly a minute.
• Temporalis massage — You'll place your fingers on your temples (next to your eyebrows) and pull down slightly until your fingers accomplish the top of your cheekbones. Repeat this for most a minute.
• Mouth opening movement — You'll open and close your rima oris for virtually thirty seconds while trying to keep your summit and bottom teeth in line.
• Rima oris opening in alignment — You'll place the tip of your tongue onto the roof of your mouth, then open your mouth as far as you can. Then close your mouth again with your tongue still on the roof of your mouth. Repeat this action for about 30 seconds.
• Sideways movement — You lot'll open your mouth very slightly (less than half an inch broad) and slowly move your jaw side-to-side for 30 seconds. Don't force this motion if y'all feel resistance.

Recall, it'south very important to talk with your physician before you start doing TMJ exercises. Doing these exercises incorrectly or besides ofttimes may make your joint problems worse.

How Can I Prevent TMJ Problems?

You can't e'er forbid TMJ, since causes may include genes or other health conditions you tin't control. Only in almost cases, you tin can lower your chance of TMJ issues by making a few changes to your regular routine. Follow these tips:

• Consider your posture – Attempt to maintain good posture throughout the mean solar day, especially if you're sitting for long periods of time at work. Accept frequent breaks to change your position. Avoid resting your head in your manus while sitting.
• Relax and manage stress — Try to reduce your overall stress levels by taking some fourth dimension out of your day to do something that relaxes you and relieves muscle tension.
• Protect your rima oris and teeth — Apply a mouthguard when playing contact sports to reduce your risk of fractures and dislocations. Use a mouthguard at night if you grind your teeth.
• Reduce chewing — Avoid chewing gum or eating foods that need a lot of repetitive chewing.

Resource Links:

• "TMJ Disorders" via Mayo Clinic
• "Temporomandibular Disorder" via NHS
• "Temporomandibular Articulation (TMJ) Disorders" via Cleveland Dispensary
• "TMJ Disorders" via MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
• "Other Treatments" via The TMJ Association
• "TMJ Disorders" via National Institutes of Health
• "TMJ Exercises" via National Health Service

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