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- 2019
- January (6)
- Why it's Worth the Effort to Save a Problem Baby Tooth
- Implant-Supported Dentures Could Boost Your Jawbone Health
- 4 Things that can Cause Gum Recession and What to do About Them
- Dental Care is Difficult but not Impossible for a Special Needs Child
- Answers to Common Questions About Root Canal Treatments
- A New Resolution - Floss!
- 2018
- December (7)
- Practice the Dental Care Basics to Ensure a Healthy Smile
- The Benefits of Dental Implants
- New Year, New Smile
- Bitewing X-Rays Safely 'Reveal all' About Back Teeth to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Practice Daily Oral Hygiene to Prevent Calcified Plaque Formation
- Kids, Cats and Canines: Dental Development Through the Ages
- TMD and Fibromyalgia Could Share Links in Chronic Pain
- November (6)
- Surgically Accessing Sinuses can Help Grow New Bone for Implants
- Treating Gum Disease Important to Saving the Underlying Bone
- Inflammation: the Link Between Gum Disease and Cardiovascular Disease
- How to Maximize Your Child's Dental Health Potential
- The Connection Between GERD and Oral Health
- 4 Foods That May Help You Prevent Tooth Decay
- October (7)
- Teens May Need a Temporary Replacement for Missing Teeth
- New Dental Advances Promise Better Outcomes for Treating Decay
- Five Tips for Top-Notch Tooth Brushing
- Preventive Care for Your Child is a Partnership between You and Your Dentist
- Don't Stress Over Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit Unless it Persists
- Stay Ahead of Plaque Buildup with Effective Brushing and Flossing
- How to Determine If You Have a Dental Emergency
- August (7)
- Your Case of Gingivitis Could Develop into Something More Harmful
- What to do if Your Child has a Toothache
- Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
- Be on the Alert for Gum Disease While Wearing Braces
- Take Care of Your Dental Appliance and It Will Take Care of You
- When are Dental Crowns Needed?
- Sleep Apnea Might be Robbing you of More than a Good Night's Sleep
- July (7)
- Dental Amalgam Continues to be a Durable and Safe Tooth Filling
- Replacing a Back Tooth May Help You Avoid Future Dental Problems
- Ready for Summer Camp? Be Sure to Pack a Toothbrush
- 3 Reasons You Should Consider Tooth Whitening
- We'll Help You Maintain Your Oral Health After Gum Disease
- Think Water First for Summer Thirst
- Teeth Grinding in Older Children and Adolescents a Cause for Concern
- June (6)
- Complex Mouth Conditions Call for Dental Specialties
- Good Reasons for Choosing Clear Aligners for Orthodontic Treatment
- Gum Disease is Still a Threat to Your Dental Implants
- Don't Fear the Root Canal - it Could Save Your Tooth
- Keep Alert for this Extreme Form of Gingivitis
- This Young Woman's Cancer Experience a Teachable Moment for all of us
- March (5)
- Bone Loss: the Hidden Consequence of Your Missing Teeth
- 3 Fluoride Sources You Should Monitor for Your Family's Dental Health
- Removing Teeth Could Improve the Outcome for a Crowded Bite
- A "No-Prep" Veneer Could Eliminate the Need to Remove Tooth Enamel
- 3 Things Your Dentist Recommends You do if You Have Shingles
- 2017
- December (6)
- Take Your Dentures out at Night to Extend Their Usefulness
- Support Your Child's Dental Development with Preventive Care
- What to Do About Your Child's Toothache Before Seeing the Dentist
- Your Age Won't Necessarily Decide Against Straightening Your Smile
- What Can Dental Bonding Do for Me?
- New Year's Resolutions for Better Oral Health
- June (5)
- Protect Your Child's Long-Term Dental Health with Regular Office Visits
- You'll Experience Little to No Discomfort During and After Implant Surgery
- No- or Minimal-Prep Veneers Reduce Permanent Alterations to Your Teeth
- Do You Have A Gap In Your Teeth?
- Don't let Periodontal Disease Cause Your Gums to Recede
- May (5)
- Look at Your Options for Saving a Tooth First Before Replacing it
- Pediatric Dentists Specialize in Dental Care for Children and Teens
- Don't Let Sleep Apnea Ruin Your Sleep - or Your Health
- Tips on Encouraging Healthy Snacking While Your Child's at School
- We can Fix a Smile Marred by Absent Front Teeth
- April (5)
- Be Alert to the Unintended Consequences of Cancer Treatment to Oral Health
- Watch for These Developing Bite Problems with Your Child's Teeth
- New Saliva Test may Help Identify Oral Cancer Earlier
- A Healthy Diet is Your Best Source for Vitamins and Minerals
- Get a Dental Exam as Soon as Possible if you Suspect Gum Disease
- February (6)
- Take These Actions to Make Your Child More Comfortable During Teething
- You may need a Periodontist to Fully Treat Your Gum Disease
- A Child's Damaged Tooth may require a Different Approach than an Adult's
- Try Conservative Measures to Treating TMD Before More Aggressive Options
- Do I Really Need Dental Implants?
- Could a Metal Allergy Keep You From Getting a Dental Implant?
- January (5)
- Stay Ahead of Gum Disease Re-Infection with Periodontal Maintenance
- A Partial Denture Can Restore a Smile Marred by a Few Missing Teeth
- Treating Teeth Grinding Now Could Help Prevent Excessive Tooth Wear Later
- Chronic Jaw Pain Could be Related to Other Inflammatory Conditions
- Non-Prescription Pain Medication can Manage Most Post-Procedure Discomfort
- 2016
- October (5)
- New Understanding of Bacteria Promises Better Approaches to Oral Care
- Keeping up Good Hygiene Still a Necessity with Dental Implants
- Are You Brushing Correctly?
- Even Though not in the "Smile Zone" You Should Replace that Back Tooth
- An Infected or Injured Primary Tooth Can Be Saved - but it's Complicated
- June (6)
- Getting the Full Picture of Your Decay Risk Leads to Better Prevention Strategies
- The Risk for Gum Disease Increases While Wearing Braces
- Do Your Dentures and Mouth a Favor: Take Them Out at Night
- 4 Things You Should be Doing to Maintain a Healthy Mouth
- Can Dental Implants Help Me?
- A Crown Could be the Answer to Preserving Your Damaged Tooth
- May (5)
- Replacing a Missing Tooth isn't Just About Improving Your Smile
- Prudent Use of X-Rays in Children Provides the most Benefit at the Lowest Risk
- Chewing Tobacco is Just as Addictive and Dangerous as Smoking
- 4 Reasons Why You May Need to See a Periodontist for Your Gum Disease
- Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
- March (5)
- Good Oral Hygiene Just as Important for Implants as for Natural Teeth
- The Importance of Baby Teeth
- There's Still Hope for a Re-Infected Tooth After Root Canal Treatment
- Sealants Provide a Little Extra Protection for Children at High Risk for Decay
- Persistent Jaw Pain After an Injury Needs Immediate Attention
- February (5)
- FAQs: Keeping Your Mouth Healthy After Gum Disease Treatment
- Effective Oral Hygiene is Key to Disease Prevention While Wearing Braces
- What Do I Need To Do To Take Care of My Dental Veneers?
- Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Child's Teeth Grinding Habit
- Thumb Sucking One of Many Factors to Consider When Treating a Poor Bite
- 2015
- December (6)
- Pay Attention to Gum Disease Warning Signs for an Early Diagnosis
- The truth about cavities
- Improve Your Brushing and Flossing Habit with These Tips
- Certain Factors May Raise Your Risk and the Intensity of Gum Disease
- Sleep Apnea and Behavioral Problems in Children: How Your Dentist Can Help
- Saliva Performs Many Functions for Both Oral and General Health
- October (6)
- Dental Implants Help Maintain Bone Health
- Survey Says: They'd Rather Have a Root Canal
- The Parent-Dentist Partnership: Establishing Better Oral Health for Your Child
- Lost a Tooth? You Have Options
- Diabetics with Gum Disease Benefit from Coordinating Treatment for Both
- A Bird's-Eye View of Tooth Replacement
- August (5)
- Ultrasonic Plaque Removal an Effective Alternative to Manual Scaling
- While Usually Benign, Lichen Planus Lesions Should Still be Examined
- The Perils of a Loose Permanent Tooth - and What to do About it
- Look at the Long-Term Costs When Considering Dental Implants
- Easing the Pain and Discomfort of Canker Sores
- July (6)
- Ridge Augmentation Gives You an Even Smile
- To Fight Tooth Decay Reduce "BAD" factors, Promote "SAFE" Ones
- Conscious Sedation Eases Treatment Anxiety for Young Dental Patients
- Know What to Expect During Your Child's 'Baby' Teeth Phase
- Orthodontics Could be in Your Smile Makeover Plan
- Plagued by Mysterious Mouth Ulcers?
- May (5)
- Emergency Dentistry - Have Your Emergency Handled By A Professional
- Do You Need Antibiotics Before Having a Dental Procedure?
- Cosmetic Questions to Ask to Get You on the Right Path to a Better Smile
- A Clear Diagnosis of Jaw Pain is Needed to Determine the Right Treatment
- Using Sinus Surgery to Stimulate Bone Growth for Implants
- April (6)
- Fixed or Removable: Deciding Which Implant-Supported Bridge is Best for You
- What Can A Deep Cleaning Do For Gum Disease?
- Irritating Cold Sore Outbreaks can be Controlled Through Medication
- Mouthguards Reduce Risk of Concussion as well as Dental Injuries
- Timing is Everything When it Comes to Treating Mouth Injuries
- Root Canal Therapy Stops Infection In Its Tracks
- February (5)
- Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
- Severe Dental Injuries May Require Endodontic Treatment
- Choose a Mouthrinse Carefully if you want to Enhance your Dental Health
- Why Dental Implants Are Made To Restore Your Smile
- Three Things You May Not Know About Root Canal Treatments
- 2014
- September (6)
- Acute Tooth Pain may be Signaling Your Need for Root Canal Treatment
- 3 Dental Options For The Perfect Smile
- Our Arsenal of Weapons in the War Against Gum Disease
- Encountering Positive Experiences the Key to Overcoming Dental Anxiety
- Treating Chipped Teeth: A Common Sports Injury Among Kids
- Bone Grafting can put Implants Back on Your Options List
- August (5)
- Bad Breath Might be a Sign of a More Serious Oral Condition
- Overcome Oral Cancer With Screenings and Lifestyle Changes
- A Fixed Bridge Remains an Effective Option for Tooth Replacement
- Several Factors Determine Tooth Longevity After a Root Canal Treatment
- Frequently Asked Questions about Inlays and Onlays
- 2013
- December (6)
- A Crowning Achievement: Natural-Looking Teeth
- Brushing and Flossing - Two Key Elements to Avoiding Dental Disease
- Early Detection is Critical to Surviving Oral Cancer
- Five Things You Should Know About Oral Cancer
- Dental Implants Help Kissimmee Residents Restore Their Smiles
- Preventing Early Childhood Cavities
- October (6)
- "No-Prep" Veneers may be an Option for Some Patients
- Five Facts About Tooth-Colored Fillings
- End the Embarrassment of Stained Teeth with Whitening
- Kissimmee Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Mansour, Builds Confident Smiles and Healthier Mouths
- Protect Your Enamel From the Damaging Effects of Acid
- Five Things You Should Know About Sleep Apnea
- 2012
- August (7)
- What Is A Crown?
- Bad Breath? Try a Tongue Scraper
- Father's Day Tip: Step Up & Improve Your Dental Health!
- Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
- Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
- Early Orthodontic Care Helped Child Star Nolan Gould Get Ready for Prime Time
- What Is Gum Recession and How Is It Treated?
- 2011
- 2010
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How we Treat your Jaw Pain Depends on the Cause
By Central Florida Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
September 26, 2016
Category:
Oral Health
Tags:
jaw pain
tmj disorders
Chronic jaw pain can make eating, speaking or even smiling difficult. What's more, finding the right treatment approach can be just as difficult.
This is because TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder: named for the joints on either side of the lower jaw) actually describes a wide range of possible problems with the joints and connecting muscles. Any of them can result in impaired jaw function, radiating pain or even headaches.
We'll need to conduct a full dental and facial exam to accurately diagnose your jaw pain's cause. Even then, the way may still not be clear: there's considerable debate among dentists about the best treatment approach. Two basic schools of thought prevail, one conservative and non-invasive and the other more aggressive and interventional.
The conservative approach seeks to alleviate symptoms in a variety of ways, including recommending softer foods to give muscles and joints time to relax, applying cold and heat to ease soreness, massage of the jaw joint muscles, gentle stretching and jaw exercises. We may also prescribe medications like ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and swelling relief, and sometimes muscle relaxers to reduce spasms. If your pain stems from clenching or grinding habits, we could fit you with a custom bite guard you wear while you sleep to reduce the forces on your teeth.
The more aggressive approach is much more invasive. These methods include altering the bite or teeth position with orthodontics or dental work or surgically altering the joints themselves or the shape of the jaw. If you're recommended one of these more aggressive treatments, you should know they're not commonly used to treat TMD and they're irreversible. There's also no guarantee you'll gain relief from your symptoms, so by all means get a second opinion before undergoing any procedures.
For most people the best course of treatment is to start with the least invasive techniques, which are usually very successful. If they don't relieve your pain and limited function, we may then consider escalating treatment to more irreversible procedures to help you find relief from this unwelcome condition.
If you would like more information on jaw joint pain and how to treat it, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Seeking Relief from TMD.”