When your jaws are misaligned and do not function properly, it can cause pain and discomfort throughout your entire orofacial region, and even in your shoulders and back. Dr. John Tortora and Dr. Myrna Eskandar offer a complimentary consultation to determine if you require TMJ therapy. Call us today at 732-295-1616 to schedule your appointment with our dentists and learn more about TMJ therapy in Brick, New Jersey.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, the pair of jaw joints where movement occurs between the upper and lower jaws. While these joints are sometimes afflicted with problems, it is more often the jaw muscles that experience the most pain as a result of a TMJ disorder.
Signs of TMJ disorders include:
- Broken teeth
- Frequent snoring
- Frequent biting of cheek
- Difficulty swallowing
- Jaw Pain, clicking, locking or joint noises
- Teeth grinding and/or clenching
- Tooth wear
- Headaches, migraines
- Head or facial pain
- Ear congestion
- Ear or eye pain
- Ringing in the ears
- Shoulder or back pain
- Sinus congestion
- Neck pain, limited movement
- Wisdom teeth present and erupted
- Involved in an accident
- Gum disease or recession
- Fatigue
Our practice offers TMJ therapy using night guards to help you relieve bruxism (tooth grinding) and treat your TMJ disorder. We also recommend a self-care routine to help reduce stress and manage your pain more effectively.
“Self-care” to reduce TMJ pain and dysfunction is critical to a successful treatment. The routine presented below is not difficult or time consuming for most people. We hope it becomes a practical and effective habit for you to improve mental health, relationships, prevent heart disease, etc. These results have been confirmed by scientific study. Similar practices have been part of an uplifting routine by many cultures throughout history.
A: Breathing exercise (to be done three times daily):
- Place the tip of your tongue on the gum behind your front teeth.
- Let your jaw drop slightly so your teeth are not contacting, lips still closed.
- Inhale slowly while counting to seven.
- Hold your breath for eight seconds.
- Exhale with tongue still in position for four seconds.
- Repeat this breathing cycle five times in succession
You may want to consider doing this breathing exercise while falling asleep in bed. It may also help you rest better at night.
B: Aerobic Exercise (The Rule of Threes)
- Walk at least at 3 mph
- For 30 minutes
- Three times per week
For more information about TMJ therapy and to schedule your consultation with our dentists, contact our office today.
