TMJ

Treating TMJ comes with many different processes with varying degrees of success. One of the solutions offered at Dr. Goldberg’s ENTFPS offices includes the TMJ NextGeneration™ Device, a revolutionary new prosthetic tool that patients insert comfortably into their ear canals without any restrictions to their hearing. Through clinical trials run by Roger N. Wixtrom, Ph. D. et al., patients who received treatment from this ear insert saw significantly reduced pain faster than the more commonly used stabilization splints. These patients experienced no significant adverse effects or safety concerns from the TMJ NextGeneration™ Device. You can view full details regarding the clinical trial below:

TMJ Symptoms

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders can cause a variety of symptoms. These typically affect the jaw, face, and surrounding areas. Common symptoms include:

Jaw pain or tenderness (especially when chewing or talking)
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
Locking of the jaw (difficulty opening or closing the mouth completely)
Difficulty chewing or discomfort when chewing
Burning Mouth
Burning Tongue
Changes in the way your teeth fit together when biting
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

How Botox Can Help TMJ

We recently sat down with a patient who was suffering from TMJ disorder. Dr. Friedman explained to the patient that this disorder was causing pain in his jaw and contributing to his frequent, inconsolable headaches. Then Dr. Goldberg outlined a number of treatment options, including one that came as a bit of a surprise.

“Have you considered Botox therapy for your TMJ?”

Our patient did a double-take, “Botox for TMJ? I’ve never heard of that before, how does that work?”

Here’s what he told him.

Most people know it as a beauty-enhancing product that gets rid of wrinkles and fine lines in the face. That’s true, it is! But think about what Botox does — it temporarily prevents nerve cell signals from reaching your muscles and reduces abnormal muscle contractions. With this in mind, you can understand how it can be useful for relaxing the muscles around your jaw, too.

In fact, Botox has a long history of medically therapeutic uses, all involving muscular conditions. Currently, Botox is used to treat over 20 different medical conditions, and there are more than 6 million Botox treatments administered each year.

Botox injections have been administered in dentists’ offices throughout the US for many years now. Some dentists do offer Botox as the finishing touch to a cosmetic dental treatment.

Here in our office, the use of Botox in dentistry stems from one important goal… relieving TMJ pain and helping you feel your very best.

What Causes Burning Mouth Syndrome?

The exact cause of BMS is not fully understood, which is why it’s often referred to as a “syndrome” rather than a disease. However, researchers have identified several potential contributing factors, which can be categorized into primary and secondary causes:

1. Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome

When no underlying medical or dental cause can be identified, the condition is classified as primary BMS. It is believed to be related to nerve dysfunction or damage in the oral cavity, possibly involving the nerves responsible for taste and pain.

2. Secondary Burning Mouth Syndrome

Secondary BMS occurs when the burning sensation is linked to an underlying condition or factor, such as:

Hormonal changes: Menopause is a common trigger for BMS, likely due to fluctuations in estrogen levels.
Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins like B12, iron, zinc, or folate can contribute to oral discomfort.
Oral habits: Teeth grinding, tongue thrusting, or excessive use of mouthwash can irritate the mouth.
Dry mouth (xerostomia): Reduced saliva production, often caused by medications or medical conditions, can lead to a burning sensation.
Allergies or irritants: Reactions to dental materials, foods, or oral care products may trigger symptoms.
Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety, and depression are closely linked to BMS, though it’s unclear whether they cause the condition or result from it.
Systemic conditions: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, and gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux have been associated with BMS.

Coping with Burning Mouth Syndrome

Living with BMS can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to cope with the condition:

Stay hydrated: Sip water throughout the day to combat dry mouth.
Avoid irritants: Steer clear of acidic, spicy, or overly hot foods and beverages.
Practice good oral hygiene: Use a gentle toothpaste and avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes.
Seek support: Joining a support group or talking to a counselor can help you navigate the emotional toll of BMS.

Burning Mouth Syndrome

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by a burning or scalding sensation in the mouth, often without any obvious cause. The discomfort can affect the tongue, lips, gums, palate, throat, or the entire mouth. For some, the sensation is mild and intermittent, while for others, it can be severe and persistent, significantly impacting their quality of life.

BMS is more common in middle-aged or older adults, particularly women going through menopause, though it can affect anyone. Despite its prevalence, diagnosing BMS can be challenging because it often overlaps with other oral health issues or systemic conditions.

Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome

The primary symptom of BMS is, of course, a burning sensation in the mouth. However, this condition can also present with other accompanying symptoms, such as:

A dry or sore mouth
A metallic or bitter taste
Tingling or numbness in the mouth
Increased thirst
Loss of taste or altered taste perception
Difficulty eating or speaking due to discomfort

The burning sensation may fluctuate throughout the day, often worsening as the day progresses. Some people report temporary relief while eating or drinking, which can make the condition even more perplexing.

Diagnosing Burning Mouth Syndrome

Diagnosing BMS can be a process of elimination. Your healthcare provider or dentist will likely start by reviewing your medical history, conducting a physical examination, and ruling out other potential causes of your symptoms. They may also order blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or other systemic issues.

In some cases, a referral to a specialist, such as an oral pathologist or neurologist, may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Burning Mouth Syndrome

While there is no one-size-fits-all cure for BMS, several treatment options can help manage the symptoms and improve your quality of life. The approach will depend on whether your BMS is primary or secondary:

1. For Secondary BMS

If an underlying cause is identified, treating that condition often alleviates the burning sensation. For example:

Addressing nutritional deficiencies with supplements.
Adjusting medications that cause dry mouth.
Managing acid reflux or hormonal imbalances.

2. For Primary BMS

When no specific cause is found, treatment focuses on symptom management. Options may include:

Medications: Low-dose antidepressants, anticonvulsants, or nerve pain medications can help regulate nerve activity.
Topical treatments: Mouth rinses or gels containing lidocaine or capsaicin may provide temporary relief.
Behavioral therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help manage stress, anxiety, or depression associated with BMS.
Lifestyle changes: Avoiding irritants like alcohol, tobacco, and spicy foods, as well as staying hydrated, can reduce symptoms.

TMJ Steroid Injection

Temporomandibular Join (TMJ) arthritis is a common cause of orofacial pain with distressing symtomps.

The patients most commonly females are often anxious and worried due to typical gritty sound produced during chewing moments.

In other cases there is pain followed by decreased mouth opening.

Currently the treatment is not standardised though the clinicians are treating these disorders either by oral medications, splintage or by injections. Though local injection of Triamcinolone acetonide and Hyaluronic acid is an innovative therapy, yet it is elusive of much research.

Most injections of Botulinum Toxin A For TMJ will last approx. 3-4 months. Immediately following your treatment, you should be able to return to normal function. The instructions you may have given include:

Avoid Rubbing.
Massaging.

The areas where the injections were given.

6 At-home Treatments for TMJ Disorders

These 6 at-home treatments for TMJ disorders may help you.

Choose the right foods: Eating soft foods, such as mashed potatoes and applesauce, can decrease jaw pain and discomfort. If you do eat hard foods (eg, raw carrots), be sure to cut them into tiny pieces or take very small bites. Also, eating sticky or chewy foods—and even chewing gum—can aggravate your symptoms, so limit these types of food.
Do jaw exercises: Jaw stretches and other face exercises can help ease TMJ disorder symptoms. Your doctor, dentist, or a physical therapist can show you how to do at-home jaw exercises to stretch your jaw muscles. He or she can also show you how to massage the muscles in your jaw.
Learn stress management techniques and do them frequently: Stress can aggravate TMJ pain—and that’s why stress management techniques are so important to do. Examples of ways to control your stress at home are doing yoga poses, deep breathing, guided imagery, and meditation.
Limit extreme jaw movements: Yawning and yelling are examples of extreme jaw movements that can place tension on the TMJ. Be aware of overusing your jaw muscles because it can lead to jaw strain.
Use heat or cold therapy: Applying moist, warm heat packs or ice packs to your jaw can help to relax your jaw and face muscles. Your doctor will let you know how long to leave the ice pack or heat pack on, as well as the proper placement of the packs.
Wear a bite guard: You can wear a bite guard (also called a stabilization splint) to help keep you from grinding or clenching your teeth. Bite guards are usually made of plastic; they fit over your upper and lower teeth, and they prevent your teeth from touching. There are numerous types of bite guards available—you can wear a soft or firm bite guard, for example.
Bite guards should only be used temporarily (your doctor or dentist will let you know how long and how often to wear it). If the bite guard increases your pain or is beginning to change how you bite, stop using it immediately and call your doctor.

Adding these at-home treatments to your overall treatment plan for TMJ disorders can help make your TMJ disorder a lot easier to deal with. When doing these treatments, be sure to note your symptoms. If your TMJ symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.