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Fast Relief for Your Painful TMJ

Woman with Jaw Pain Roswell, GA

While your teeth get all the recognition, your jaws are doing all the work. Your jaws allow you to use your teeth and mouth, such as when you speak, chew, swallow, yawn and even kiss. Considering the remarkable responsibilities that we place on our jaws each day, it is understandable why the jaw joint (or TMJ) can become overworked and inflamed from time to time.  When the TMJ is damaged or distressed, however, the symptoms can be quite disruptive.

TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that involves swelling, stiffness and dysfunction of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. TMJ disorder can be caused by a number of factors, including teeth grinding, teeth clenching, misaligned teeth, missing teeth and excessive gum chewing. Regardless of the cause, the symptoms of TMD can range from mild discomfort to debilitating jaw pain.

Professional Help for TMD

A dentist always needs to be informed of your jaw discomfort, as this may not be evident on your routine exam. Most patients with TMD, however, have trouble keeping their jaw open for a cleaning or produce an audible pop when they open extra wide. Fortunately, a dentist can recommend a treatment based on the suspected cause of your jaw joint inflammation. This can include orthodontics, replacing missing teeth or wearing a nightguard to prevent bruxism.

At-Home Remedies to Relieve TMJ Discomfort

In some cases, the jaw joint can be remedied at home, especially if it is a temporary flare-up. In other cases, home remedies can be used as you are waiting for treatment from your dentist to start or be complete. Many patients are quick to seek relief, as TMD is associated with symptoms such as jaw stiffness, clicking/popping, ear pain, neck and facial pain and more.

The TMJ Association offers the following tips to find relief from a painful jaw at home:

  • Moist Heat to relax tense muscles.
  • Ice to decrease inflammation and numb pain.
  • Soft Diet to rest the jaw.
  • OTC Analgesics to relieve pain.
  • Jaw Exercises to regain mobility and promote healing.
  • Relaxation Techniques to relieve stress-induced jaw tension.
  • Side-Sleeping to provide support to neck and jaw.

In addition to the above-mentioned therapies, avoid specific lifestyle habits such as chewing gum and cradling your cellphone with your neck and ear. If you fail to find relief and have not seen a TMJ dentist, please schedule your appointment with Dr. Mitzi Morris. She is a talented dentist who offers effective solutions for patients suffering from TMJ problems.

Posted on behalf of Mitzi D. Morris

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

Phone: 678-459-2990

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

Our Patient Reviews

Mitzi D. Morris, DMD, PC

4.8/ 5.0

Based on 44 reviews

  • Dr. Morris is an excellent dentist. Her ability to relate to her patients makes her a stand-out amongst those in her profession. She practices dentistry with superior technique and care. Her staff is friendly, helpful, and accommodating. I feel she hires only the best! One special mention: I suffer from panic attacks at times- along with claustrophobia. Dr. Morris is the first dentist I have ever had who helped calm my fears. Thus, my experience exceeded expectations! Great service!

    Cathy Q
  • Definitely would recommend Dr. Morris to anyone. She has been my dentist for over 8 years! Dr. Morris is extremely personable and is serious about the completing the best care possible. Great established dental team! Very accommodating to your schedule.

    Kelly T
  • Great and very educational experience. Compared to my last two dentists this experience blows them both out of the water. The staff is very friendly, and very helpful. I had to go in for a total of four visits a few weeks apart from each other. They made me feel very comfortable the entire time and kept making sure I was pleased. Getting a deep cleaning went very smoothly. It was also brought to my attention that the way I was flossing was incorrect. And have since changed methods. I worked specifically with Dr. Morris. She was very nice, and took the time to explain things. Which is a huge plus for me. Dr. Morris and the staff members worked effortlessly together. I was comfortable enough to sit back and relax, strangely enough, while having cavities drilled and fillings put in. Billing and scheduling appointments, as well as follow up for confirmation of upcoming appointments was very easy. I will say my favorite part of the experience was how friendly of an environment the staff has created. That alone is deserving of a 5 star review, and the rest is honestly icing on the cake. I highly recommend this practice on all fronts and will continue using them!

    Eric F
  • I transferred from a long-term and very good relationship with my former dentist because of a move, and I was a little apprehensive about a new dentist. Dr. Morris has been great. She is friendly, patient-concerned and the office is new, comfortable and clean. Everyone seems to enjoy working there. I feel like I'm in good hands!

    Christopher P
  • Dr. Morris and her staff are very professional. Additionally, she as well as her staff have an excellent "bedside manner." The office is new and well equipped. If one has an appointment and an earlier one opens up, Dr. Morris offers it to her patients as she did with my last appointment.

    David G
  • I have never met a staff so nice and charming. This staff will make you feel comfortable and relaxed in Dr. Morris's Spa like office and everyone is professional and approachable too. Andrea R. explained the process of my appointment and procedures and is definitely a highly-educated and thorough dental hygenist -- SHE IS A ROCKSTAR. I'm so glad that Dr. Morris and her dental team have been my "go-to" for the last 5 years, and I wont be going anywhere else! Overall - A++ Dr. Morris...highly recommended to my family and friends!!!

    Adam O
  • I've been a patient of Dr. Mitzi Morris for many years, and recommend her without reservation. The office is modern. clean and spacious. The staff has always been welcoming and very helpful. And the women who work for her as dental technicians are fantastic; they do a professional and effective deep cleaning, but with a careful, gentle touch. It is clear to me that Dr. Morris reads her professional journals and upgrades her practice to stay very current with the latest best practices in dentistry. (I have had some dentists who stopped updating their practices after leaving dental school!) With Dr. Morris you can count on receiving the very latest dental technology. Her prices are very fair, and I have never been surprised by an unexpected cost or had problems with insurance not covering services rendered.

    Bruce C
  • I have never experienced an office so down to earth, so outgoing and so willing to satisfy. If you've grown to dread the dentist then lay down your sword and give this office a shot.

    Marc Mamane

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Contact Us

Phone

678-459-2990

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm

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Address

1297 Hembree Rd Suite 202
Roswell, GA 30076

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