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Myofunctional therapy can treat a variety of conditions, in addition to preventing future problems. The most common conditions treated are sleep-disordered breathing, orthodontic relapse, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

According to The American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, or AAMDOMS, 30% of the population suffers from a temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. When a patient’s jaw joints are not properly aligned, it can cause further problems. For example, if a patient’s jaw is misaligned, it can cause their bite to be off as well, which can result in TMJ pain and headaches. This is why TMJ disorder therapy can help patients avoid issues like this in the future.

What is a TMD?

TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder. It’s an umbrella term for issues that involve the jaw joint (temporomandibular joint). Symptoms of TMD include:

• Pain or soreness in the jaw joint area
• Pain or soreness in the ear, face, neck, shoulders, or back
• Difficulty chewing or biting food
• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds coming from the jaw joint
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• A locked jaw that won’t open or close

What Are the Causes of TMJ?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), myofascial pain dysfunction (MPD), and bruxism all have common symptoms. While the exact cause of TMD is unclear, some causes have been determined.

Bruxism

Bruxism is a common cause of TMD. It is characterized by clenching and grinding of the teeth. This is most often done when asleep.

Stress

Stress can contribute to TMD. Stress can cause muscles to tighten, which can lead to clenching and grinding.

Jaw Injury

A serious jaw injury can cause TMD. Trauma to the joint, such as a dislocation, can cause the jaw to become misaligned.

How Does Myofunctional Therapy Treat TMD?

Myofunctional therapy is dedicated to retraining the muscles that control the tongue. By retraining the muscles, we can correct the behaviors that cause TMJ. This therapy is non-invasive and does not require the use of pain medication.

Myofunctional therapy can be extremely beneficial to your oral health. This therapy is a series of personalized exercises that will strengthen the muscles of the mouth. It can help correct the alignment of the teeth as well as the jaw.

Many patients are apprehensive about how myofunctional therapy will feel. Myofunctional therapy can feel uncomfortable at first. However, most patients find the exercises to be manageable. Your jaw muscles are accustomed to holding your jaws in a harmful position. Breaking these habits often takes some adjustment. However, our team can give you guidance and tips to ensure you receive the most benefit from your treatment.

NW Myofunctional Therapy is equipped with modern amenities and technologies that enable the best treatment opportunities. To know more about YMJ, please call us at (206) 276-5294, schedule an appointment online or email us at info@nwmyofunctionaltherapy.com to have a consultation with our team in Portland, OR, and we will be happy to help.