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River Heights Physiotherapy

Greetings

We hope that you had a fantastic summer.

In the past month we have added over 100 new FAQ and Research articles to our patient education resource.  We have also added the following patient guides:

  1. Hip Surgery (Hemiarthroplasty)
  2. Avascular Necrosis of the Hip.
  3. Scoliosis

In this newsletter we are discussing Jaw Pain.

Featured Article:  Dealing with Jaw Pain

If you are experiencing pain while biting or chewing, tenderness in your jaw, pain in and around your ears, or headaches, then you know what it feels like to have jaw pain. There are a number of factors that can cause jaw pain.Possible causes of jaw pain include: toothaches, infections, sinus problems, gum disease, teeth grinding, arthritis, neck problems, or jaw problems related to injuries or gradual stress and strain.

Many people also suffer from temporomandibular joint pain or TMJ pain, which refers to pain in the jaw joint specifically. This joint is made up of muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, and a disc. Injury to any of these structures can cause pain in the jaw. Symptoms of TMJ include: sore jaw muscles, ear pain, ringing in the ears, headaches, pain in the cheeks or temples, jaw clicking or popping, difficulty opening one’s mouth, and/or locking of the jaw.

Many things can cause TMJ pain such as: trauma to the face or neck, poor postural habits, neck problems, clenching or grinding your teeth, stress, or tooth misalignment.

Your dentist can assess your bite and determine if orthodontic treatment is required. They often prescribe a splint to help protect your teeth and keep your jaw in a healthier position while sleeping.

The physiotherapists at River Heights Physiotherapy are specially trained to assess and treat jaw problems. They can help determine the cause of your pain, and design an idividualized treatment plan to resolve your problem. Treatment can include: hands on therapy to relax your jaw and neck muscles and restore normal joint movement, ultrasound, hot/cold, acupuncture, and education. They will provide you with a specific home exercise program as needed to relax your muscles, improve mobility, retrain muscular strength and coordination to restore normal jaw movement.

To help you reduce jaw pain or TMJ pain so that you can regain your comfort and enjoy eating all your favorite foods, here are a few tips from your physiotherapist:

Take excessive pressure off of your jaw muscles and joints by eating soft foods, avoiding taking large bites into foods like burgers, cut food into small pieces, and chew evenly on both sides of your mouth.  Avoid chewing gum or nails.

Try to avoid clenching, tensing, or grinding your teeth. Clenching is one of the most common causes of TMJ pain.

Avoid intentionally clicking your jaw.

Wear your mouth guard at nigh if prescribed by a dentist or see a dentist.

Avoid prolonged slouching and forward head posture, especially when eating.

Relax your jaw in it's resting position: lips together, biting edges of the teeth apart, tongue on the roof of your mouth.

Relax your muscles by applying moist heat to your jaw twice a day for at least  15 minutes , or try gently massaging the muscles in your cheeks and temples.

If your TMJ pain is the result of an injury, or if you have swelling, ce packs can be applied to the area to reduce swelling.

For more tips on how to safely and effectively reduce your jaw pain, talk to the trained physiotherapists at River Heights Physiotherapy.  One of our physiotherapists would be happy to assess your current jaw pain and create a program tailored specifically to your needs and goals. Call 204-987-9222to make an appointment or to ask any questions you may have.

References

  • Rollman A, Visscher CM, Gorter RC, Naeije M. Care seeking for orofacial pain. J of Orofac Pain. 2012; 26(3):206-14.
  • Tuz HH, Onder EM, Kisnisci RS. Prevalence of otologic complaints in patients with temporomandibular disorder. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2003; 123(6):620-23.
  • Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, List T, et al. Diagnostic criteria for headache attributed to temporomandibular disorders. Cephalagia. 2012; 32(9):683-92.
  • Kluemper GT, Hiser DG, Rayens MK, Jay MJ. Efficacy of a wax containing benzocaine in the relief of oral mucosal pain caused by orthodontic appliances. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2002; 122(4):395-65.  
  • Hersh EV, Stoopler ET, Secreto SA, Derossi SS. A study of benzocaine gel dosing for toothache. J Clin Dent. 2005; 16(4):103-8.
  • Poveda-Roda R, Bagan JV, Sanchis JM, Carbonell E. Temporomandibular disorders: A case-control study. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2012 (in press.)
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