All the little things can make vacation quite a job to prepare for. Whether you’re flying to see family or just taking time off to relax, vacation requires a lot of planning and preparation. But it’s worth all the headaches, isn’t it? That is, unless you are literally suffering from regular headaches and jaw pain. Stress can make these symptoms worse. If you have constant or frequent jaw pain or related facial pain, including headaches and migraines, ask Dr. Miyasaki or Dr. David about our TMJ treatments in Honolulu.

For years, people have been getting relief through our TMJ mouthguards. Stop suffering through headaches and jaw pain, and start getting the relief you deserve. Call 808-797-3680 for a free consultation today. You’ll appreciate a pain-free vacation – and life.

TMJ Disorder Disrupts Your Daily Life

TMJ disorder, or TMD, takes a toll on your daily life and even your oral health. This disorder affects the jaw joints, or TMJ (short for temporomandibular joints), which connect your skull to your jaw. These joints allow you to move your jaw freely for eating, speaking, laughing, and even yawning – basically any jaw movement. It’s easy to see why this could cause pain or discomfort if you have a disorder involving the joint.

We don’t always know why people have TMJ disorder. We do know that an injury to the face or jaw, arthritis, and a misaligned bite can contribute to it. So can structural abnormalities of the actual joint. People with TMJ disorder often experience:

  • Pain while eating or talking
  • Lockjaw
  • Clicking, grinding, or popping of the jaw
  • Jaw pain, discomfort, tenderness, and swelling
  • A “tired-feeling” jaw
  • Headaches, especially upon waking
  • Earaches
  • Teeth grinding and clenching, usually when sleeping (this can cause TMD too)

TMJ Disorder Affects Your Teeth

The last TMJ symptom in that list, teeth grinding and clenching, clinically known as bruxism, is where the oral health factor comes in. If you are constantly putting that much pressure and force on your teeth, whether you have TMD or not, you can begin to wear them down. You can even crack them.

We’ve seen this happen with many patients. It’s a sure way to get restorative dental work done that you could have prevented with the right diagnosis and treatment. We check for that kind of wear and tear at every dental exam.

TMJ Disorder Can Be Treated Noninvasively

Some cases of TMD are so extreme that jaw surgery is necessary. We want to take the most conservative approach possible when it comes to your TMJ treatments in Honolulu. One of the most effective treatments is a custom-made TMJ mouthguard. This small night guard prevents your back teeth from touching, so you can’t grind them. Some versions move your jaw into a slightly different position, which is enough to provide relief from the jaw pain.

When you come in for a consultation or for your regular checkup, tell us if you’ve had any of these symptoms. We’ll do a thorough exam to make sure a TMJ night guard can help you get back to normal.

We may also recommend some simple lifestyle changes and treatments, like:

  • Avoiding hard, chewy foods, as this can irritate and wear out the jaw more
  • Avoiding gum
  • Applying heat or ice to the area
  • Massaging the area to relax the muscles
  • Taking an antiinflammatory as directed
  • Physical therapy
  • Counseling for stress management, as stress is a common risk factor

A custom-fit mouthguard, along with these TMJ home remedies as recommended, can also reduce or even eliminate headaches. We’ve even had patients who suffered from chronic migraines find hope again for a pain-free life with this type of therapy.

Visit A Downtown Dental Group For TMJ Solutions

Isn’t it time you started to stop worrying about your pain? You don’t have to live with it anymore. You don’t have to have discomfort or even such debilitating pain that it’s difficult to concentrate, much less enjoy what should be a relaxing vacation.

For nonsurgical TMJ treatments in Honolulu, call our dental office at 808-797-3680 or contact us online to request your TMJ evaluation at A Downtown Dental Group. If you know someone else suffering from this kind of pain, feel free to send them our way so they can live without TMJ pain, too.