Posted: January 7, 2023
After many people learn they have a TMJ disorder, they investigate the condition on their own. Some of those people can become overwhelmed by their research and all the ways a dysfunctional jaw joint can impact someone’s life. That overwhelmed feeling can turn into fear that there’s no escaping the disorder, which keeps people from seeking treatment and making their worries come true. But TMJ disorder doesn’t have to be permanent. Instead of asking if TMJ disorder is permanent, ask what to do to make sure it isn’t.
TMJ Disorder Does Not Have to Be Permanent
TMJ disorder is the name given to the collective symptoms that result from a dysfunctional jaw joint. The good news? Symptoms can be managed and the jaw joint can be repaired. The most important part of undoing TMJ disorder is proactive treatment.
How to Undo It
In some mild cases, TMJ disorder symptoms can be battled from home. Adopting healthier habits like not clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth can go a long way in minimizing jaw pain. One thing that helps many people is practicing mewing. Mewing is the act of pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth to retrain your oral posture.
All of these options make up TMJ pain management. By going deeper, the underlying causes of TMJ disorder can be treated more directly. These root causes include:
- Underdeveloped jaws
- Malocclusion
- Deteriorated articular discs
- Joint trauma or injury
- And more
Untreated TMJ Disorder
Someone who does not engage in treatment for their TMJ disorder, will in all likelihood continue to experience symptoms. In some cases, this person’s symptoms may even worsen over time as the joint deteriorates. This is often the case because TMJ disorder symptoms create an environment that weakens the jaw joint further. A dysfunctional jaw joint that is left untreated will likely be permanent, making it that much more important to seek treatment.
Scheduling a Consultation
For more information on TMJ treatment, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Schick by calling our office at 403-407-5730.
*all procedures performed at our practice by a general dentist
