Jaw Pain Treatment

How Myofunctional Therapy can Relieve Pain and Enhance Well-Being

Chronic jaw pain is often diagnosed as temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly called TMJ. When the muscles of the mouth, face and neck aren’t moving in a balanced state, jaw pain is the common result. It’s similar to when we break a leg: the body changes its balance to compensate for the injury, adding stress to muscles that normally would be used little, if at all, during walking.

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When we think of the “jaw,” we’re actually thinking of the temporomandibular joint, which is both a hinging and sliding joint and therefore prone to damage. The tongue needs to rest on the roof of the mouth the majority of the time. If it doesn’t, the lower jaw is not stable.

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Many people with jaw pain have tongue thrust and mouth breathing habits. Eliminating these habits through myofunctional therapy exercise is an excellent jaw pain treatment because it helps to stabilize the jaw.

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How Myofunctional Therapy can Help

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If you’re experiencing constant or periodic bouts of pain in your jaw, the first thing you need to do is see a dentist who specializes in TMJ therapy. Once the pain is eliminated, we’ll focus on how to prevent it from returning. I’ll evaluate you for correct nasal breathing with the lips together and tongue on the roof of the mouth. I’ll also watch to make sure you’re swallowing correctly, one hundred percent of the time.

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Following my assessment, I can identify which muscles are weak and not working correctly and design an exercise and habit-elimination program specifically for you. My goal is to strengthen and re-train your face and mouth muscles to work together in harmony, keeping stress off the jaw joint.