Why would a dentist prescribe muscle relaxers?
Often, dentists are linked to regular checks and perfect white grins. Still, they know more than simply teeth. They are also very important in the diagnosis and management of problems involving the jaw and the muscles around it. Sometimes a dentist will recommend muscle relaxants as part of a therapy strategy for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ problem). Let’s examine the reasons for this in more detail and see how muscle relaxants can help with a tight jaw.
Recognizing TMJ Disorders and Muscle Tension
The hinge joint on either side of your head that joins your jawbone to your skull is called the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Chewing, talking, and yawning all require a wide variety of jaw movements, which this amazing joint makes possible. Problems, though, might develop if the muscles around the TMJ tighten or swell. Temporomandibular joint disease, or TMD for short, can result in a number of uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Jaw ache and stiffness
- Problems opening or closing the mouth
- Sounds of cracking or clicking in the jaw
- Face ache
- Pains in the heads
- Muscle Relaxers Save the Day
Medication known as muscle relaxants acts by making the muscles less active. Within the dental setting, they might be recommended to assist in the management of TMJ-related symptoms. Here’s how much-needed relief can be obtained using muscle relaxants:
Cutback Spasm of the Muscles By reducing involuntary jaw muscle spasms, muscle relaxants can reduce discomfort and stiffness. Tensed muscles all the time might hurt and restrict jaw movement. Tension and pain cycle are broken in part by muscle relaxants.
Increased Mobility: Opening and shutting the mouth is made easier by relaxing the muscles. Your quality of life can be much enhanced by this since even seemingly easy chores like eating and conversing become less taxing and unpleasant.
Pain Management: A more all-encompassing strategy to treating TMJ pain can be achieved by combining muscle relaxants with pain medicines. While muscle relaxants treat the underlying muscle tension that can exacerbate pain, pain relievers deal with the pain itself.
No Universally Applicable Fix
Though they can be a useful tool for controlling TMJ symptoms, muscle relaxants are usually used as part of a larger therapy plan for TMJ problems. Here’s why a dentist might not rely just on them:
Short-Term Relief: Generally speaking, muscle relaxants are designed to treat acute symptoms for a few days to many weeks. Use for an extended period of time may cause dependency and other problems. The intention is to solve the underlying reason of the problem and stop it from happening again.
Attending to the Root Cause: The underlying reason of TMJ issues is not addressed by muscle relaxants. Dentists will usually look at various options to deal with the root cause and stop issues in the future. These can be bite splints to help correct jaw alignment and avoid additional strain, lifestyle changes including stress management techniques to minimize muscular tension, or physical therapy to increase jaw mobility and strengthen supporting muscles.
Dental Practices Frequently Using Muscle Relaxants
Your dentist will prescribe a particular muscle relaxant based on your needs and medical history. In dentistry, some often utilized choices include: Cyclobenzaprine: This is a popular muscle relaxant used to relieve pain and spasms. It functions by obstructing specific bodily molecules that signal the muscles to contract.
Methocarbamol: This drug acts by easing muscles and lessening the brain’s pain sensations. It’s thought to operate via impacting the central nervous system.
Baclofen Mostly used to treat neurological disorders, baclofen can be administered in modest amounts to treat muscle tightness associated to TMJ. It acts by easing muscles close to the spinal cord.
Vital Things to Remember Before Using Muscle Relaxants
Should your dentist recommend muscle relaxants, it is important to know the following:
Reactions: Dizziness, weariness, and drowsiness can all result with muscle relaxants. Following its use, it is advised to refrain from driving or operating machinery as these side effects may affect coordination and reaction time.
Drug Interactions: Other prescriptions you take may interact with muscle relaxants. To prevent any possible problems, tell your dentist about all of your present prescriptions. Muscle relaxant side effects might be exacerbated by some drugs, such as sedatives and antidepressant.
Not For Everyone Not everyone should take muscle relaxers. Prescriptions may not be written for those with specific medical conditions, those who are pregnant or nursing, or those who have a history of substance misuse.
Final Thoughts Together with Your Dentist, Get Relief from TMJ
A dentist’s toolbox for treating TMJ-related stiffness and pain can include muscle relaxants. They do work best, though, when combined with other therapeutic approaches. Here’s how collaborating with your dentist can result in a thorough treatment plan for TMJ issues:
Assessment and Diagnosis Your jaw, teeth, and surrounding muscles will all be thoroughly examined by your dentist. To determine the root reason of your TMJ problem, they may also do imaging tests like X-rays. Creating a customized therapy plan requires this thorough assessment.
Medications Available More Than Just Muscle Relaxants As was already indicated, muscle relaxants are usually taken for temporary relief. Depending on the degree and etiology of your TMJ problem, your dentist will probably suggest various therapies in addition to these. Among these alternatives might be:
Physical Therapy: Improving your posture, jaw mobility, and the muscles supporting your jaw can all help to lessen TMJ pain. A physical therapist can teach you these techniques.
Lifestyle Adjustments: TMJ problems can be better managed with several lifestyle adjustments. These can be eating softer foods to lessen strain on the jaw muscles, using heat or ice packs to the jaw, and practicing yoga or meditation as stress management approaches.
Custom-made mouthpieces called bite splints cover either your upper or lower teeth. By helping to reposition your jaw and stop your teeth from grinding together, they lessen tension on the TMJ and ease pain.
When things are really bad, surgery: Rarely, severe TMJ problems that are unresponsive to conventional therapies may be candidates for surgery. But usually speaking, this is a final option.
The Value of Adhering to Your Treatment Plan Achieving long-term relief from TMJ symptoms requires following your dentist’s advised treatment regimen. This could be following the directions on muscle relaxants, doing physical therapy exercises exactly, and changing your lifestyle as needed. A key to ending the cycle of pain and muscular strain linked to TMJ problems is consistency.
Verdict
Pain and stiffness associated to TMJ might be momentarily relieved by muscle relaxants. But they work best when included into a thorough treatment plan that your dentist creates. Working along with your dentist and according to their advice will help you receive long-lasting relief and restore proper jaw function. If you’re exhibiting any TMJ condition symptoms, don’t be afraid to make an appointment with your dentist. Your quality of life can be much enhanced by an early diagnosis and course of therapy.