The results of a recent study in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed results that 16.1% of patients experienced orofacial pain. It turns out that this is almost the same number of patient visits to physicians for migraine or headache pain. Is there a connection to TMJ disorder?

The October 2015 Journal of the American Dental Association presented a study entitled Frequency of Orofacial Pain in Dental Patients. The study looked at 100 dental practices, chosen over a three-year period. The dentists took a random sample of their patients that were seen and screened them for current orofacial pain or any pain within the previous year.

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Thanksgiving is a day set aside to focus on gratitude for all of the things in our lives. Some of the things we are grateful for are not the “easy” parts of our lives knowing that the things that stretch us tend to have the biggest impact. The “valleys” we all walk through are necessary to measure the “mountaintops” we experience as we journey through life. Without night, we could not appreciate the day.

I am thankful for my family, extended family, friends, those I work with and for all whose lives have crossed ours.

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Pain related to TMJ disorder can flair up at any time; late at night, weekends, holidays or while traveling. So, it is good to have a few solutions to deal with the discomfort until you can see a professional for long-term relief.

Pain from an injured, damaged or over-used TMJ is often musculoskeletal in nature; the muscles tighten and cause pain such as headache, face pain or neck pain.

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Orthotics vs Splints

It can be confusing when trying to understand the different ways to treat TMJ disorder. Different approaches to treatment require different appliances-splints or orthotics.

Regarding the use of intra-oral appliances, there are 2 different approaches to treat TMD and both use appliances. I’m often asked “What type of splint do you use?

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Studies continue in an effort to treat tic disorders, or Tourettes, without the use of drugs. It is thought that compression caused by TMD contributes to tics often seen in patients with Tourettes. There may not be pain associated with the TMJ, which may cause this possible issue to be overlooked.

My sister recently became interim chair for the Tourettes Association and asked me what I knew about reports that a “splint” can be effective treatment for some Tourettes sufferers.

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