Have you only recently started suffering TMJ symptoms? Perhaps you didn’t notice the warning signs that you were doing more damage to the tempromandibular joint. Some of the symptoms that you may be suffering could have led you to blame your ears or your head. A lot of TMJ sufferers spend years taking aspirin for headaches little realizing that the problem originates in their jaw and the headache is a symptom rather than the cause of the problem.
Your body is usually quite good at protecting itself against further injury. If you are finding that you cannot open your mouth as wide as before, this is your body’s way of telling you to get help as there is a problem with your tempromandibular joint.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
One of the problems with TMJ disorder is the fact that it is so difficult to answer the question of what are the symptoms of TMJ. As sufferers know they can be anything from a mild jaw pain to excruciating headaches and earaches. Some people suffer pain when their jaw starts clicking or popping. Others do not experience serious discomfort but find the noise embarrassing especially when out to dinner with friends.
The problem is that the condition almost never improves of its own accord. This is not something you grow out of. In fact it is likely to become much worse. TMJ sufferers tend to react badly to stress which may have been a factor in the onset of the problem. It certainly doesn’t help to keep the pain at bay.
So what are the TMJ treatment options?
There are a number of TMJ treatment options on the market. Your dentist or physician will probably recommend you see an oral surgeon to determine the extent of the problem. The sooner you seek help the better as you can make the situation a lot worse by eating the wrong foods or taking certain medications. Don’t ignore the problem as you can do lasting damage to your tempromandibular joint. Some doctors will recommend that you take antidepressants as they help to relax the muscles which may help to alleviate the pain. Don’t rush into this form of treatment though as antidepressants carry a wide range of side effects. In this case the treatment could be worse than the initial problem.
So what can you do to alleviate the symptoms of TMJ?
Some people will recommend that you use a warm flannel when the pain occurs. Others will suggest a diet comprised of soft foods. But let’s be real for a minute. A warm flannel isn’t going to help when you are in agony nor is it going to help you sleep better at night. And who wants to live the rest of their lives on a near liquid diet? The good news is that you don’t have to. Instead you can try the TMJ No More plan and find out exactly why former TMJ sufferers rate it so highly. You can read more here.