Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are pretty important; they’re responsible for connecting your jaw to your skull, granting you an impressive range of motion and essentially allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with ease! This means that if something is affecting the functionality of these joints, your entire livelihood might be at stake. These types of issues, known as TMJ disorder (TMD), can be debilitating, causing persistent jaw pain, headaches, and discomfort. And while traditional treatments are certainly an effective means of dealing with TMD, some patients wonder if essential oils are capable of providing any sort of relief. Continue reading below to learn more!
Understanding TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder occurs when there are issues with the temporomandibular joints and the muscles that control their movement. Although it might not always seem serious, since the levels of pain and other symptoms might vary, issues with these joints shouldn’t be shrugged off due to the negative impact they can have on a patient’s quality of life.
Luckily, most pain from TMJ disorders is both temporary and treatable, with numerous effective treatments ranging from pain relievers to oral appliance therapy, sometimes combined with physical therapy. Sometimes in the most extreme cases, surgery might be necessary. In any case, your oral care provider can inspect your jaw if you’re experiencing symptoms and help determine the root cause of the issue before coming up with a treatment plan.
Can Essential Oils Assist with TMJ Pain?
Essential oils have been used by humans for centuries, and are still quite popular today. They can often serve as effective at-home remedies for a wide range of issues and ailments—including those associated with TMJ disorder based on reputable evidence. Here’s a closer look at a few that are known to provide TMJ pain relief:
· Lavender Oil – Renowned for its calming effects, its analgesic properties can help alleviate pain and reduce muscle tension in the jaw.
· Peppermint Oil – Peppermint oil has a cooling sensation and contains menthol, which can numb the area and provide relaxing relief for jaw pain.
· Chamomile Oil – Like peppermint oil, this can be used to relax the muscles in the jaw.
· Eucalyptus Oil – This oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and numbing effects, and can be applied topically to help reduce swelling in the face.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that while these essential oils might show promise in dealing with the jaw pain associated with TMD, nothing stands in comparison to the treatment your dentist can provide! These oils should be considered a complementary therapy and not a substitute—that said, they can certainly help!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Nawrocki and Dr. Kimberly Dennis, the team at Brown & Nawrocki Restorative and Cosmetic Dentistry has proudly served patients and families in the Ormond Beach, FL area for several years. They’re excited to offer a wide range of services including various treatment options for TMJ disorder. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with the team to set up an appointment, feel free to reach out online or by phone: (386) 677-1046.