Temporomandibular Disorders
The temporomandibular joint functions depending on the chewing muscles and the contact of the teeth during mouth opening and closing. When a dysfunction occurs in the muscles and closure of the teeth, this condition spreads to the joint disc and gives symptoms.
Temporomandibular
Symptoms of the disorder (TMD):
- Facial pain
- Earache
- Toothache
- Jaw joint sounds
- And shows signs such as limitation in mouth opening.
According to the cause of the disorder
treatment methods:
It is treated with preventive methods such as anteriorly repositioned appliance, stabilization plate, by determining the jaw movements by the plaque, arthrocentesis (lavage of joint fluid) and advanced surgical approaches.
TMD is present in 50-70% of the population, but only 5% of the population feels discomfort and seeks treatment because of this disorder. Neurology, physical therapy and dentistry are interested in this disease.
General Recommendations for TMD Patients
- Eat all foods by cutting them into small pieces. DO NOT open your mouth more than necessary.
- DO NOT eat hard breadcrumbs, firm meats, raw vegetables or foods that require long chewing. DO NOT chew gum.
- DO NOT bite food with your front teeth, especially by opening your mouth wide (eg eating an apple by biting off).
- Use hot and cold compresses: wrap the hot water bag in a towel for 5 minutes, and keep the frozen peas in a towel for 1 minute. Repeat these cycles two or three times.
- Rest your jaw as much as possible.
- Once your pain is gone, an exercise program can be used, but ONLY under the supervision of your physician.
- If you feel that your mouth movement is tight or restricted, DO NOT force it to open wider.
- If your jaw is locked, DO NOT try to open it by force.
