A Slice of range V o l u m e
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Take care of your TMJ
IMAGINE FEELING INTENSE PAIN EVERY TIME YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH TO TALK OR EAT. IMAGINE ELECTRIC BOLTS AT YOUR JAW WITH EVERY BITE. THAT’S HOW IT FEELS TO HAVE TMJ DYSFUNCTION. BITE INTO KNOWLEDGE ON TMJ CARE.
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s a doctor, I have seen some patients that left me dumbfounded with diseases that are just plain, outright weird. One of these is TMJ dysfunction, short for temporomandibular joint disorder. So this issue of A Slice of Orange will be dedicated to understanding this disease. As its name implies, TMJ disorder, is an umbrella term for disorders of the temporomandibular joint. This joint is the one that connects your jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of your skull. This joint is found near the front of your ear, and you can feel it move when you open and close your mouth. One of the reasons TMJ dysfunction is puzzling is its symptoms, which can look very much like the symptoms of other diseases. Its classic, unmistakable symptoms are: • Difficulty or discomfort when biting or chewing • Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth • Jaw pain. A Slice of Orange is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD
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However, these symptoms show only later. Its earlier symptoms may be: • Dull, aching pain on the face • Earache • Headache • Hearing loss or hearing a ringing sound • Neck and shoulder pain. These symptoms may come from other diseases, such as ear infections, diseases of
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the facial nerve (also called Bell’s palsy), migraine, muscle tension, or even stress. In rare circumstances, a TMJ dysfunction may manifest as oddly as a frozen, painful shoulder, or severe lower back pain.
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Buying an electric
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As TMJ dysfuntion worsens, so do the symptoms. For some, even mere opening of the mouth to talk or eat is excrutiatingly painful.
Causes of TMJ dysfunction There are many causes of TMJ. The most common one is disorders of the teeth. Your teeth help support the TMJ. When you lose a tooth, the remaining teeth may move, weakening the support of the TMJ. Misalignment of teeth may lead to an imbalance between the pressure on one of your TMJs. Many people report TMJ dysfunction after having their wisdom teeth extracted.
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ten caused by stress and excessive tiredness during the day. Excessive gum chewing or nail biting is another common cause.
Another cause of TMJ dysfunction is overopening of the jaw, which forces excessive pressure on the TMJ. Bruxism, or repetitive unconscious clenching or grinding of the teeth, usually when asleep, is a third cause. This, in turn, is of-
Getting help for your TMJ First of all, if you think you have TMJ dysfunction, visit a dentist first. But if you aren’t sure, a doctor may help you find other causes for your symptoms.
thodontics, surgical repositioning of the jaw, or mandibular repositioning splints (splints that change the position of the jaw while you’re wearing them).
Treatment for TMJ will of course depend on its cause. If the cause is dental problems, a dentist can perform corrective or-
For severe cases where the TMJ has been greatly damaged, TMJ implants can be put in place.
Should you even buy an electric toothbrush in the first place? Many studies show that using a manual toothbrush will give the same result as an electric toothbrush. But the problem with these studies is that the electric version was compared to manual brushing done correctly. And most people do NOT brush properly. In fact, a review of 354 studies showed that electric brushes remove 7% more plaque, and lower gingivitis by 17%. So if you feel that your oral hygiene can be further improved because you are not brushing properly, seriously consider an electric toothbrush. Here are some tips when you go brushshopping: Choose the one with the rotating bristles over the vibrating ones. If you have sensitive gums or teeth, choose one with variable speeds so you can start with the “low” setting and move to “high” as you get used to your new brush. If your problem is you are not brushing long enough, get the ones with timers. Make sure that it is easy to find replacement bristles for the tooth- brush you are buying. Ask the sales person to be sure. For convenience, get the one with a recharging base so you don’t have to remove the batteries to recharge. But this is an optional feature.
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Occlusal splints (also called night guards or mouth guards) can help lessen clenching in some patients. One caveat: in some patients, splints can actually increase clenching, hence worsening TMJ dysfunction. Avoid using over-the-counter mouthguards. If a splint is not properly fitted, the teeth may shift and worsen the condition. Discuss the proper use of splints with your dentist.
For people whose TMJ disfunction is caused by over-opening of the jaw, excessive chewing of gum, nailbiting, or bruxism, or other bad habits, re-training and biofeedback may be helpful.
Step 2: Relax your jaw. Let it open naturally as you exhale. Step 3: As you relax, use the mirror as a guide. The left side of the jaw should fall just as much as the right side of the jaw. Use the vertical line as a guide. Step 4: Take your time relaxing your jaw. When your jaw is already relaxed, the jaw pain should disappear (if there is still pain, your jaw is not yet fully relaxed). Step 5: Repeat the exercise until jaw re-
laxation and the disappearance of pain
For TMJ pain, you can use over-the-counter painkillers, or apply a cold pack on the painful joint for 10 minutes, three times a day.
TMJ exercise One way to relieve TMJ pain and prevent TMJ from worsening is learning how to relax your jaw. Here’s one biofeedback exercise you can perform at home. Do not take a painkiller before performing the exercise, because it will hide the pain, which you need at the start when performing biofeedback: Step 1: Stand in front of a mirror. Draw a vertical line on the mirror.
becomes second nature and automatic to you. This exercise will not only help remove the pain, it will also help you improve joint function and prevent TMJ dysfunction from getting worse. And if you don’t have TMJ dysfunction yet, it will help you prevent this puzzling and distressing disorder in the first place.
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelink-consult.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2010 ActiveLink
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ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelink-consult.com
The Orange wants to he ar from you! Dying to ask us your health related questio ns? Itching to share your pe rsonal health tips? Want to sugg est topics for future issues? Feel free to contac t us. You can e-m ail our team at orange@activ elink-consult.c om.