Rushing to the dentist is never a good feeling. That sudden constant pain in your mouth makes you realize how grateful you should be on the days when everything is just normal. When you start feeling discomfort and pain in your mouth, jaw, or head, it is usually referred to as orofacial pain. There also have been cases where the orofacial pain is linked to other conditions like headaches, nerve damage, or psychological stress and can be mitigated if a family dentist in Shelby Township, MI is consulted on time.
Now, as it is visible, deep down, this problem cannot be solved by a professional in Michigan using one mode of treatment. The interdisciplinary approach here involves using the involvement of multiple professionals like dentists, neurologists, psychologists, etc, in order to handle the various underlying issues and get the patient back to a normal state.
What Are The Approaches to Orofacial Pain Management?
Dental Care
There are many cases of orofacial pain that originate from dental issues such as cavities, gum diseases, or misaligned teeth. In order to approach these issues and treat them on time, dentists are usually the first person of contact. They know how to assess and treat the situation according to their experience. They can have various approaches in order to treat you properly.
- Restorative treatments like fillings or crowns
- Orthodontic treatments like braces
- Dental surgeries like root canals or extractions
Dentists play a very important role in addressing dental pain by relieving it using the right methods.
Neurological Methods
There is a very good amount of chance that the orofacial pain is directly related to the nerve. There is a term known as trigeminal neuralgia which is basically getting severe facial pain caused by irritation of the trigeminal nerve. In this case or any similar case, neurologists or pain specialists have to be involved in order to offer the proper treatment on time.
Medications like anticonvulsants or antidepressants in order to manage the nerve pain might be recommended. There are also many other techniques through which they can manage pain.
- Medications
- Botox Injections
- Surgical Procedures
Physical Therapy or Rehabilitation
If there is musculoskeletal pain, a physical therapist has to be involved. Physical therapists play a very important role when it comes to managing this pain and it is very important to treat it right. This pain can affect the neck, jaw, and facial muscles. There are many ways to treat it and there are many techniques developed in order to take proper steps to remediate the pain.
- Exercises for jaw mobility
- Massage and Manual Therapy
- Posture education
The TMJ Therapy
The TMJ, also known as temporomandibular joint is a disorder that can cause jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty in moving the jaw. This requires attention and a specific interdisciplinary approach where multiple professionals come together in order to manage the disorder and address the structural and muscular aspects of the condition. Let us see what type of professionals come in and what contribution they make.
- Dentists or oral surgeons can prescribe bite guards or recommend surgeries in order to treat the problem.
- Physical therapists can focus on jaw muscle relaxation exercises, posture corrections, and techniques to improve joint functioning.
- Chiropractors or manual therapists can use joint manipulation to reduce discomfort and improve the overall alignment of the body.
Are There Any Other Alternative Therapies For Orofacial Pain Management?
There are many cases where patients turn towards other therapies that can provide relief along with the conventional treatments. Let us look at what those alternative therapies can be that can offer added relief.
- Acupuncture
- Herbal Remedies
- Chiropractic Care
Wrapping Up!
Orofacial pain management requires an interdisciplinary approach because no single treatment will work for all patients. Collaboration between different professionals and other healthcare providers will ensure that the physical, emotional, and neurological aspects of the patient are addressed. By taking this multi-face approach patients are more likely to experience pain relief and improve quality of life in a longer period of time.
