TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) is the condition which causes tenderness and soreness in your joints that connect the jaw, as well as the muscles that control the shift of the jaw joints. It may be a very troublesome and frustrating disorder that afflicts a very large number of the population. According to up to date stats, it is estimated that about 10 million folk suffer with some type of TMJ.

With so many damaged by this disease, it might appear to be plausible that there might be some prevalent unease over it. Although in actuality, a lot of of the folk who do have TMJ might not take the dilemma as seriously as they probably ought to because the pain associated with it might just start out being relatively minor. Additionally, some folk who suffer from TMJ find that the disorder can go away on its own through the natural healing process. These factors have come together to make the general level of interest regarding this disease relatively small.

This may not indicate that the majority of the instances of temporomandibular joint dysfunction are in the minor kind however. There are a lot of folk who will suffer from a incapacitating and severe pain that derives from this disease that does not go away. In cases such as these, patients need to search for proper therapeutic help in order to help treat the disease and lessen the pain as much as viable.

Some of the kinds of treatments out might raise concerns because of the fears that they might prove invasive or complicated. However while there are indeed a number of invasive ways of dealing with TMJ, there are also numerous simpler treatments that can be just as effectual in many cases. Ultimately though, the kind of therapy that is used will always vary from one person to another based on their individual characteristics.

So what exactly does TMJ affect? The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw (known as the mandible) to the temporal bone (top bit). These joints are what allow your jaw to move up and down, and this in turn affects your capacity to eat, talk and even hear correctly. In order to carry out these numerous functions, the jaw joint has to move correctly and without restriction. When TMJ starts to set in and restricts this movement, it can turn out to be extremely painful and makes seeking treatment essential to continuing on with your every day life.

So what about TMJ Treatments?

The most universal way of dealing with the disease is to use a splint or bite guard, such as what sportsmen use. Essentially, this is an item that fits snugly over the upper and lower teeth and keeps the jaw in place so that the disease can either right itself, or at least decrease the amount of pain to a manageable level. These items may now be bought over the counter, but it is better if as it fitted by a qualified dentist or doctor.

Another TMJ treatment that has turn out to be more accepted in recent years deals with TMJ exercises that are designed to strengthen your jaw and tongue muscles and re-align the jaw in a natural way. Results from this method have been pretty successful and is now the primarily treatment you ought to try if you have been diagnosed with TMJ. This is especially valuable as the outlay to do these exercises is nothing, and has the convenience of TMJ management at home, and the treatment rate is pretty high.