Usually, orofacial pain starts as a result of endodontic procedures such as root canal treatment, tooth extraction and periodontal treatment. According to dentists in Diamond Bar musculoskeletal disorders of the jaw (TMD) are also considered as one of the factors of orofacial pain. Usually the different joint conditions like clicking, popping or locking, inflammation or osteoarthritis also become the major cause of this problem. In the initial stages, the pain may be localized to jaw; whereas in severe conditions it may involve neck and shoulder muscles.
Symptoms
· Initially a patient feels pain in face, jaw , head, neck and ears
· Pain while chewing or biting crunchy or hard food
· Limited jaw opening
· Jaw clicking, catching, grinding or locking
· Tooth clenching/ grinding/ use of abnormal tooth wear like, braces and invisalign or poor sleep
· Sensitive teeth
Diagnosis
The oral expert first sees the medical history of the patients and his current disorder. After that, he conducts a thorough head and neck examination. The next step is the laboratory and diagnostic studies to probe the different types of orofacial pains.
Treatment
The Diamond Bar dentists prescribe different treatments for the orofacial disorders. The treatment includes different types of oral exercises, physical therapies, counseling, relaxation training or message therapy. In case, the pain is severe, the dental professionals may also prescribe medication which may involve pain killers. If left-untreated for a longer time period, the orofacial pain may require surgical treatments. Usually, a dentist may suggest reshaping of teeth, building crowns, orthodontics or permanent appliance for mouth. In some cases, a dentist may place a device called orthotic on a patient’s teeth until the biting or chewing problems recover.
Other Treatments
Your dentists may suggest you some other practices other than the medicines. For instance you might be advised to place the ice packs on the painful area for as long as 10 minutes; the practice may be suggested for three to four times a day. Start taking soft or liquid foods to avoid the pain. Take smaller chunks of food. To keep your tongue between your upper and lower teeth is also a good practice to alleviate pain.