Medications as Part of Home Care
Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can be an important part of your TMJ home care. For people seeking TMJ treatment in Detroit, these options may provide short-term relief while you explore more comprehensive solutions with your dentist.
Acetaminophen (commonly known by the brand name Tylenol) can relieve pain associated with TMJ, but it’s not effective at reducing swelling. While helpful for temporary symptom control, it doesn’t address underlying causes. That’s why, particularly for those in the Detroit area, obtaining a proper diagnosis from a dentist well-versed in TMJ—or even neuromuscular TMJ diagnostics—can lead to more targeted and effective treatment.
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) not only help reduce pain, they can control swelling, too, which can help resolve minor problems with the temporomandibular joint. With NSAIDs, the concern is not so much about acute overdosages as it is with cumulative toxicity. Taking too many NSAIDs over time can also damage your liver, and it’s been associated with heart problems.
Prescriptions for TMJ
A few prescription drugs are used in the management of TMJ. Tricyclic antidepressants are sometimes used to help control chronic pain conditions like TMJ. They alter the way your body interprets pain, but they do have mood-altering effects, which can be positive or negative.
Muscle relaxants are used to target muscle activity that contributes to TMJ-related symptoms, including pain, tooth grinding, and damage to the teeth or bones. These can help your symptoms, but their side effects may be undesirable, such as grogginess and inability to perform complex tasks like driving.
Anti-anxiety medications may also be prescribed when stress is a major factor in muscle tension that results in damaging grinding behaviors. They are not generally recommended for long-term management of this condition, but they can be helpful.
Injections for TMJ
Corticosteroid injections are sometimes used to control pain and inflammation in the jaw joint. This is less common than for back pain and other similar types of joint pain caused by inflammation, but for people with serious TMJ that is not responding to other treatments, injections may be tried.
Finding Lasting Relief From TMJ
While medications can play a role in easing discomfort, they are only part of the picture. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and even injections may offer short-term relief, but they do not correct the underlying issues causing your jaw problems. True healing requires a precise diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
At the Michigan Center for TMJ & Sleep Wellness, Dr. Jeffrey Haddad uses advanced neuromuscular techniques and proven therapies to go beyond symptom management and address the root cause of TMJ. If you’re ready to move past temporary fixes and find real solutions, call us today at (248) 480-0085 to schedule a consultation for TMJ treatment in Detroit.
