Tmj discomfort relief?!


Question:

Tmj discomfort relief?

I wear a night guard for tmj...but it still does not seem to help. i wake up and have a stiff neck and jaw all day and a head ache soem too...help?!


Answers:

The night guard helps to keep the teeth separated which allows partial relaxation of the tm joint. The headache is from the tight muscles. You can do a few things about this. If you dentist is the one who made you the night guard have him also check your bite. You may need an "occlusal adjustment". That is where your dentist checks the contact of the upper/lower teeth - one by one. If a tooth has any "high spots" it puts extra pressure on the tooth below it - and just like clenching - doesn't allow the tm joint to relax. I have had that done. You can also see a chiropractor - mine periodically adjusts my jaw (mine begins to slip out of the joint) and that has made a huge difference. Find one with a massage therapist on staff so you can get massaged with each visit to break up the tension in the neck. There is also a good book on the market written by a dentist and is filled with exercises and relaxation techniques to help "Taking Control of TMJ" by Robert Uppgaard, DDS. Good luck.




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