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TMJ Treatment options in New York city

New York city, a city famous for just about everything and the city definitely keeps up to its name by providing first class TMJ treatment. The city is famous all over the country for using advanced techniques in the treatment of TMJ. A number of people suffer from this disease – temporomandibular joints disorder. However New York offers solutions in the form of various treatments to control and correct the damages done by TMJ.

If you should suffer from any of the symptoms of TMJ, then you should know that the city has many different institutions which are more than capable of handling this for you. Within no time of your treatment, you’ll notice relief from pain, and a definite pathway to recovery.

TMJ disorders are caused due to an imbalance with the jaw movement and the skull. Due to this imbalance, a person can experience various problems, from acute headaches, to stiff necks, back aches, ear aches etc. The causes of this imbalance are varied and could be anything from stress to bad dental bite. A proper diagnosis of TMJ through various medical examinations are done in order for the appropriate treatment to be administered to a patient.

TMJ treatments vary from person to person depending on their individual cases. Some patients may require little treatment, while others may require extensive treatment, and at times even the possibility of surgery. Whatever the case may be, you should know that the city has all the specialists who have the skills, expertise and provisions to administer the right type of treatment to patients. So if you live in New York or the surrounding areas and you think you have any of the TMJ symptoms, do not hesitate to make an appointment with one of the specialists, to get yourself treated. Some of them even have free, no obligation consultations.

Bruxism – Treatment for Bruxism

Bruxism is the term that refers to an incessant grinding and clenching of the teeth, unintentionally, and at inappropriate times. Bruxers (persons with bruxism) are often unaware that they have developed this habit, and often do not know that treatment is available until damage to the mouth and teeth has been done. Damage caused by bruxism often includes the following symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently.

The cause of bruxism is not completely agreed upon, but daily stress may be the trigger in many people. Some people probably clench and never feel symptoms. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems may be a complicated mix of factors — how much stress you are under, how long and tightly you clench and grind, whether your teeth are misaligned, your posture, ability to relax, diet, sleeping habits, and other factors. Each person is probably different.

Here is not a scale of bruxing that exists, but, we could imagine that there is such a scale. This scale could run from a 1 indicating a very slight habit to a 10+ which would indicate a severe bruxer. A person at level 1 would not show any signs of bruxing at all. On the other hand the people in the higher end on the scale would show one or several signs. The pressure that can be generated across the teeth can range from 100 to 600psi (pounds per square inch) this is an incredible amount of force. The problems outlined below occur as a result of these forces being applied over many years – slowly – and it can be difficult to recognize the cause/effect sequence.

Symptoms of Bruxism

The most obvious bruxism symptom is the unattractive flattening of the upper front teeth. This flattening is common in older people and is very apparent when the patient smiles. Continued grinding causes severe shortening of the teeth and shortening of the patient’s face. Another bruxism symptom shows up as the patient’s face becomes shorter, the lips thin and shorten and the face looks older than the actual age of the patient.

Sleep bruxism often exerts remarkably powerful forces on teeth, gums, and joints. One estimate puts it at three times the forces generated during chewing (Castaneda, 1992, p. 46), while another puts it at ten times–powerful enough to crack a walnut.

For many people, bruxism is an unconscious habit. They may not even realize they’re doing it until someone comments that they make a horrible grinding sound while sleeping. For others, a routine dental checkup is when they discover their teeth are worn or their tooth enamel is fractured.

Treatment for Bruxism

Treatment approaches include biofeedback exercises, massed negative practice, change in sleep positioning, drug therapy, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, occlusal orthotics, and stress reduction and coping techniques.
While the symptoms of bruxism in adults can be treated, the condition usually cannot be cured. Treatment focuses on relieving acute symptoms and limiting permanent sequelae. Treatment should be provided jointly by the patient’s family physician and dentist.

Some patients brux because of dental problems, such as abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth (malocclusion). These patients may require oral surgery or other dental work to correct the problems or may be fitted with a protective mouth guard.

Medications. In general, medications aren’t very effective for treatment of bruxism. In some cases, your doctor may suggest taking a muscle relaxant before bedtime. If you develop bruxism as a side effect of an antidepressant medication, your doctor may change your medication or prescribe another medication to counteract your bruxism. Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections may help some people with severe bruxism that hasn’t responded to other treatments.

Dental treatments – If bruxism is associated with dental problems like teeth misalignment, your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth.

TMJ Cure – Stop TMJ Pain for Good

Millions of people are suffering from TMJ or temporomandibular joint dysfunction and constantly looking for remedies to stop TMJ for good. If you are one of these people suffering from this very complex disorder, you know how painful and annoying this condition is.

Temporomandibular joint disorder commonly known as TMJ is a disorder causing dysfunction in the jaw and its movement. There are different factors contributing to the occurrence of TMJ. It is not only physical factor like accidents and injuries but emotional factors like stress, extreme anger and grief could also trigger this very frustrating disorder.

This very complex condition is accompanied by many disturbing symptoms that can reduce the quality of your life. Some symptoms are uncontrollable jaw or tongue movements, tooth clenching or grinding at night, limited mouth opening, pains in the cheek muscles, difficulty opening the jaw smoothly and evenly. These symptoms are so disturbing and you need to stop TMJ for good.

You need to stop TMJ as early as possible. If this problem becomes chronic, it might lead to more serious problems. You need to find the right treatment before the pains and symptoms become unbearable and may lead to other problems like difficulty swallowing, vertigo, dizziness, headache, tongue pain and other upper body problems including the head, neck and shoulder. It is best to consult the doctor to know the severity of your symptoms.

There are treatments to alleviate and stop TMJ. This disorder can be treated with the right approach and remedies. Here are some remedies:

Common immediate remedy to stop TMJ are over-the-counter pain relievers, muscle relaxant and prescribed anti-inflammatory medicines, but you need to be cautious in taking drugs due to the side effects that could lead to other health problems.

Jaw exercises and therapies are also effective for some people. There are exercises designed to strengthen and relax the jaw and the muscles around it to stop TMJ. Heat and cold therapy is also an option to reduce the pains and muscle tension around the jaw.

Some people find relief through dental treatment. A biteplate maybe recommended by the dentist to align the lower and upper jaw and eliminate other symptoms like clenching teeth at night.

Some sufferers consider surgery which needs a lot of thinking. Before subjecting yourself under the knife, you have to exhaust all options because surgeries are expensive and sometimes there are consequences involved which are often irreversible. Did you know that you can stop TMJ permanently using natural methods? This natural remedy works in targeting the source of the problem and not just the symptoms.

Bruxism Treatment and Cure – Stop Teeth Grinding At Night

Teeth grinding is very common and it is referred to as Bruxism. It occurs when you clench or grind your teeth at night or during the day. Grinding involves sliding your teeth back and forth over each other. Doing this continuously can wear down your teeth and cause other problems. Sometimes it can be noisy enough at night to bother other people who may be sleeping near you. Both clenching and grinding can lead to jaw pain and other problems described below.

Bruxism is not considered a dangerous disorder although it can sometimes permanently damage your teeth and cause headaches, jaw paid and ear pain. Grinding your teeth at night can disturb roommates and sleeping partners. Sometimes if the jaw pain is severe it can lead to depression, insomnia and eating disorders. Grinding and clenching your teeth can also worsen existing dental problems.

There are various treatments and remedies for treating teeth grinding or bruxism. The treatments usually focus on reducing pain, modifying clenching behaviors and preventing permanent damage to the teeth. Some of the things that you can do at home to help relieve pain include:

- Relaxing your facial and jaw muscles and making it a habit to do this throughout the day.
- Applying wet heat or ice to sore jaw muscles.
- Drinking plenty of water
- Massaging the muscles of the face, neck and shoulders.
- And working on reducing your daily stress levels through relaxation.

Health professionals also often recommend that you avoid eating hard foods like steak, nuts and candies. If you’re prone to stress and anxiety, managing stress can help reduce your bruxism.

A lot of people grind and clench their teeth subconsciously during the day and at night. However, sleep-related bruxism is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control.

Generally, there is no single cause of bruxism that medical professionals agree upon, but for many people, it may be triggered by continuous stress. There are also people who probably clench and grind but never feel the symptoms. Whether or not bruxism causes pain and other problems depends on many factors. These factors may include how much stress you are under, how tightly and how long you clench and grind, if your teeth are misaligned, your posture, diet, sleeping habits, ability to relax, and other factors. Each person is different but the symptoms and treatment is similar.

Tips to eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding

TMJ is a very debilitating and disturbing condition. It’s only natural for a TMJ patient to look for the best ways to eliminate it. You would therefore naturally want to find a way to eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding. It may not however be as simple as going to the dentist. What is a good solution for your TMJ problem?
Grinding and TMJ

Other than it being a bothersome condition, let’s have a look at other reasons why you would want to get rid of the condition. Teeth grinding is one way to make your TMJ pain and discomfort worse. Frequent grinding can put a lot of pressure on your jaws and muscles. This is the main reason why you should eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding together. Aside from preventing TMJ pain, getting rid of your grinding habit can also protect you from getting worn or damaged teeth.

Various causes of teeth grinding call for various ways of eliminating it. Grinding may be caused by stress, a bad bite and bad teeth. Some people also unconsciously grind their teeth while they are asleep at night. You have to know and understand the unique cause of your grinding habit to be able to effectively eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding.

Doctors and Treatments

As mentioned, the particular cause or reason behind your TMJ problem may influence how you can eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding. The kind of treatment however will also depend on the kind of specialist that you approach. If you have an existing dental problem that is the cause of your teeth grinding then you may have to approach a dentist or an orthodontic expert. They may prescribe the following solutions:

- Wearing a special night guard that can help eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding. Sometimes, the guard may have to be worn in the morning too. The use of a guard however should depend on your condition. Some patients have experienced worsening conditions due to guards

- Your specialist may require dental therapy or restoration if your condition is caused by having a bad bite. You may also be fitted with special devices such as bridges and crowns

Other Methods

In cases where your condition is not caused by dental problems, your specialist may prescribe another form of treatment to help eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding. The following are some examples of possible treatments:

- Stress management techniques can help eliminate TMJ and tooth grinding in people who have a TMJ condition because of stress. Stress management however encompasses a variety of techniques and methods. The ones that you choose to adopt will depend on your comfort level. You can choose to practice yoga and meditation or you can opt to undergo group or one on one counseling. Other related techniques include progressive relaxation, NLP and biofeedback.

- Some habits may aggravate the condition. Sometimes the best way to eliminate mild conditions of TMJ is to simply allow your jaws to rest and watch the habits that may aggravate TMJ. You could for example avoid eating hard foods.

- Your TMJ condition may also be alleviated by gentle jaw exercises and massage.

Options For Home Treatment For Tmj

Individuals with TMJ disorder can suffer more than just minor discomfort. A TMJ can become so painful that it can even hamper your day to day activities. When this happens, it becomes tempting to immediately think about aggressive solutions like surgery. Generally though, every other solution should be attempted first before considering invasive treatment. You might want to first consider some home treatment TMJ solutions.

- The most straightforward solution is to simply rest your jaw. This could mean properly scheduling your eating and speaking time. Do not even chew gum when you are resting.

- Avoid eating and working at the same time. This can lead to tense jaw clenching.

- You can try taking non prescription anti inflammatory medicine and pain relievers if the pain becomes unbearable. It is important however to take even over the counter medicines only as indicated or in the right amounts. Resist the urge to over medicate.

- Applying hot or cold compress can help ease the pain and discomfort of a TMJ disorder. TMJ conditions differ from one person to another and some people may be comfortable only with one or the other kind of compress. Be sensitive on what works for you.

- Since bad posture is one possible cause for worse TMJ pain, make sure that your posture is always correct when sitting and standing.

- To prevent a developing condition from getting worse, switch to soft and easy to bite foods for a few days. A good home treatment TMJ solution is to keep away from candies, bagels, steak and other crunchy or hard foods. You might also want to stay away from foods that require you to open your jaws widely like large decked or rolled sandwiches.

- Consciously avoid clenching your teeth in tense situations. Remind yourself not to clench or grind. If tense or stressful situations increase clenching, then keep away as much as possible from these tense situations. If you cannot entirely keep away, then at least set aside a few hours a day to calm yourself and your jaws.

- Wear mouthguard or splint when slipping. This is to prevent teeth from grinding. Some people however unfortunately do experience worse symptoms with mouth guards.

- Learn how to cope with stress to avoid worsening your TMJ symptom. One great way is to learn and practice relaxation techniques that can be used while seated in an office. Some good and easy techniques are deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. At home, you can also perform yoga, meditation or listen to relaxing music and sounds.

- If possible, limit the use of your jaw to important talk and eating only. Avoid using it to hold the phone. You should also avoid using your mouth to hold objects while your hands are busy.

- Inquire about jaw massage and exercise techniques from your doctor.

Of course, even the most common home treatment TMJ may not work for others especially those suffering from severe cases. Be sure to consult with your doctor first before seriously following a home remedy.

Bruxism Causes and Cures

Bruxism is a sleep disorder that causes sufferers to grind their teeth while asleep. It affects over 20 million people and if left untreated can wear down your teeth and cause headaches, and ear ache. Bruxism can also lead to jaw pain and if you have any existing dental health problems it could make them much worse.

Over the long term bruxism can eventually wear away the enamel on your teeth causing sensitivity to hot and cold foods. Eating ice cream or drinking hot tea could become very painful.

What causes bruxism? It seems that many people who suffer from sleep apnea also suffer from bruxism. Sleep apnea is when someone stops breathing for a very short time during sleep and is associated with loud snoring.

Bruxism can be caused by stress, making your jaw muscles stiff and tense. You could try relaxation exercises to ease your tension and try and resolve the issues that are making you stressed. Regular daily exercise can help to ease stress as it releases endorphins which are natural painkillers that also produce feelings of happiness and wellbeing.

Smoking and drinking to much alcohol or caffeine can also aggravate the condition as they are all stimulants. Try cutting back on coffee especially a few hours before you go to bed. You could try drinking decaffeinated coffee instead. Bruxism can be a side effect of prescription drugs such as anti depressants.

Dental malocclusion is when the teeth are not properly aligned and don’t fit together. This condition may result in bruxism with a subconscious reaction to the abnormality by grinding the teeth into correct alignment. Regular check ups at your dentist should reveal any underlying dental problems and prompt treatment will save a lot of problems in the future.

If your dentist suspects that you suffer from bruxism he will probably recommend a mouth guard for you to wear at night preventing you from grinding your teeth in your sleep.

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