Watching a kid struggle with TMJ pain can be a horrible experience, especially if you're a parent. That's why it's essential it is to find a solution that works well and can help provide lasting relief to the young patient. Let's help you understand how your child can potentially enjoy significant TMJ pain relief in our discussion.
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The temporomandibular joint is the most complex joint in the human body. It consists of two bones—the upper and lower jaw—connected by a fibrous disc and surrounded by muscles that help move it. The TMJ is a hinge joint, which means it can only move up and down. It's also synovial, meaning it has a fluid-filled sac that cushions the bones while they move against each other.
Your TMJ can be found on the sides of the face, behind your teeth, and in front of your ear. It's an important part of your jawbone, which joins with your temporal bone. When something goes wrong with TMJ, it can cause pain in other areas like your neck and head.
In most cases, children will be born with a healthy TMJ that allows them to chew food comfortably as well as speak clearly without pain or strain. If something does happen to cause damage to this area (for example, through injury), there are ways for parents to look after their children until they are ready for treatment by a dentist or specialist doctor.
In many cases, the signs of a TMJ disorder are difficult to spot. You may notice that your child is having trouble chewing or swallowing food properly, but this can be caused by other issues as well, such as an underbite. Some symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
If you suspect your kid has a TMJ disorder, talk to a doctor about it. They'll be able to give you more ideas about what could be the cause and the best TMJ pain relief for your child.
As you may already know, TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw and face. But did you know that they can also lead to other body pains? If a child has been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, it's essential to understand that other related symptoms could be overlooked or misdiagnosed. Here are some of the most common pain areas associated with TMJ disorders:
It's common for headaches to accompany facial pain from an overactive bite or from grinding/clenching teeth at night when sleeping.
This pain is typically caused by tension in muscles in the upper back or shoulders. This tension is often linked to stress and anxiety levels!
A sore neck is sometimes caused by overuse of certain muscles like those used for chewing or swallowing food; this might mean having trouble turning your head in certain directions since these muscles are being used so much more than usual.
If you're looking for a natural form of TMJ pain relief, consider trying one or more of the following:
If your child has tight muscles in his scalp and neck, this can contribute to TMJ pain. A massage therapist can loosen up those muscles and help reduce tension in the jaw joint, making it easier to open one's mouth fully when he yawns or chews food.
Some children find that acupuncture provides effective relief from TMJ pain. Acupuncturists use needles inserted into specific points on the body (known as meridians) to improve blood flow throughout your body and relieve stress, which may help reduce discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.
The link between diet and dental health is well known—what you eat affects how your teeth feel! Eating foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay over time; by consuming less sugar regularly—and eating more fruit instead—you may find yourself dealing with fewer cavities altogether!
The above approaches for TMJ pain relief are all effective and safe, however considering the potential fears and inhibitions of young patients in pain, they might not be so keen on getting pricked by needles or restricted with their diet, so the most probable TMJ pain relief for kids is upper cervical chiropractic.
It's a practical approach for easing pain and inflammation. In addition, upper cervical chiropractic care can help your child's jaw muscles relax, giving their joints more space to move freely. When the joints can move adequately again and return to their normal position, they may be able to reduce pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles—which would relieve your child's symptoms!
By getting regular adjustments from a qualified chiropractor, you can help ensure that your child's TMJ disorder doesn't interfere too much with their lifestyle. You can find a credible chiropractor in the Upper Cervical Awareness Doctors Directory. Feel free to reach out to a nearby practice so you can help your child get assessed for neck bone misalignments.
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TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
