Some patients with TMJ disorders may dread in-office cleaning appointments, and even daily brushing routines, because they experience flare-up symptoms, such as headaches, muscle pain, decreased jaw mobility, etc. Your dentist can help you manage day-to-day pain by prescribing you an oral splint—he or she might even recommend Botox treatments to relax hyperactive muscles. Read on for some tips to make at-home brushing and in-office cleaning appointments more comfortable.  

At-Home Cleaning

Some people may experience jaw pain when brushing their teeth because they are using a rough motion or applying too much pressure. You don't need to saw back and forth with the toothbrush to get a good clean. Use gentle, small circular motions with the brush instead.

The main issue people have with at-home care, however, is with flossing. One study found that about 15% of patients reported an inability to floss regularly due to their disorder. It can be hard for people with a TMJ disorder to reach their molars without straining their jaws. Instead of using regular thread floss, look for flossers that come with wand handles. You'll be able to reach your posterior teeth much easier without hurting your jaw.

Another way to make flossing easier is to incorporate a water flosser into your routine. A water flosser uses a water jet to flush debris away from teeth.

In-Office Cleaning

When you go in for an in-office appointment, you should ask for breaks during the cleaning appointment so that your mouth doesn't spasm from being held open for too long.

If your dentist does need to have your mouth open for an extended period of time, they can use a bite block. Bite blocks, or mouth props, are soft devices that prevent the jaw from closing, but you can rest your teeth on them so that your muscles don't get too sore. Bite blocks are often used for lengthy procedures, but they can also be used for shorter dental cleanings.  

Besides using bite blocks, your dentist might recommend some over-the-counter topicals or anti-inflammatories before and after your appointment to reduce the chance of flare-up symptoms. Some dentists may even use local anesthetics, like lidocaine, in the TMJ area during cleaning appointments to reduce pain as well.

After your appointment, you may want to alternate heating pads and ice packs over facial muscles. Although dental cleanings aren't invasive procedures, some patients may want to eat soft foods after their appointments to ease back into their normal range of motion.

Lastly, you can make both at-home and in-office cleaning easier by asking your dentist about stretching exercises and self-massage that you can do at home before and after appointments. These jaw exercises can restore range of motion and lessen pain in your jaw.  

Reach out to your dentist today for more details on how they can improve your dental cleaning experience.

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