Most cases of facial pain result in patients using oral appliances such as splints and bite guards as a means of controlling pain. For a long time, oral appliances have been seen as the most effective method to treat facial pain. However, new research suggests that actually, self-care techniques are most effective at treating facial pain.
Facial pain, whether it be dental-related, jaw-related or trauma-related, is a difficult thing to live with. Anyone who has gone through a period of facial pain will know that recovery can be slow.
Facial pain, especially for dental and jaw pain, is usually caused by a Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ), which are a group of related conditions that cause discomfort.
Over the years, various treatments have been put forward as being effective for facial pain, though there has never been a clear consensus on how facial pain is best treated.
A study however has found that self-care exercises have the potential to be much more effective than more conventional interventions, such as splints and bite guards.
What is a TMJ?
As mentioned above, a TMJ disorder is a group of conditions that are related to the temporomandibular joint – which is the joint of the jaw – and the surrounding muscles.
To be precise, the TMJ’s are the joints that are located in front of each ear, which connects the lower jaw bone to the skill.
When thinking about joints, most people think of the knees, fingers, elbows and wrists. But arguably one of the most important joints – the jaw – is often forgotten, despite its importance, given that it helps us to eat, talk and breathe [1].
It is very difficult to say how many people have a TMJ disorder, but research suggests that approximately 12% of people in USA experience a TMJ disorder at any one time [2].
A TMJ disorder is more common in women than men, and unlike most chronic pain conditions, TMJ disorders often affect younger people as much as the elderly [2].
The typical symptoms of a TMJ disorder include jaw clicks, pain, limited mobility, difficulty in opening the mouth, poor sleep, headaches and earache [3].
TMJ disorders have also been associated with increased depression, anxiety and stress [4], and are therefore conditions which have a marked effect on quality of life.
In terms of treatment, long-held views suggest that splints and bite guards should be the first line of treatment.
Other common treatments include painkiller medications, ranging from mild analgesics to powerful opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs and self-care methods such as jaw exercises and warm compresses.
The Research
The study took place in 2019, and was organised and carried out by researchers at the NYU College of Dentistry, before being spublished in the Journal of Clinical Oral Investigations [5].
The study involved researchers looking at how women with a TMJ disorder treated their pain, and how effective each treatment was [5].
The study involved 125 women. Most participants used more than one treatment, with an average of 2.4 treatments per participant. The researchers found that the most common treatments were [5]:
• Oral appliances e.g., splints, bite guards etc (used by 59% of participants)
• Physical therapy (54%)
• Home-based jaw exercises (34%)
• Acupuncture (20%)
• Visiting a chiropractor (18%)
• Injection at site of trigger point (14%)
• Exercise (7%)
• Meditation and deep breathing (6%)
The researchers then asked each participant how well each treatment had worked for them, in terms of easing their pain and overall wellbeing.
In a surprise result, self-care activities like jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses were found to provide the biggest improvement in symptoms of pain, with 84% of participants stating that these activities helped ease their pain [5].
On the other hand, 64% of those who had used the oral appliances – the most common treatment – said they had been helpful, amounting to a significantly less amount than the self-care activities [5].
11% of those who used oral appliances suggested that they actually made their pain worse. Other treatment methods like acupuncture, chiropractor and injections did not score highly in easing pain.
The results of the study suggest that instead of using oral appliances, or reaching straight for the medicine cupboard, those who are suffering from facial pain should engage in self-care techniques and exercises.
The study’s implication for dentistry
Facial and jaw pain is common in dentistry. Gum disease can cause inflammation, while infections or general toothache can cause pain in the jaw muscles, and face in general.
Therefore, these results suggest that we shouldn’t automatically use oral appliances to treat such problems. Instead, self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be used, as they appear to be much more effective, and less risky.
TMJ disorders are usually diagnosed and treated by a dentist. Most dentists will recommend oral appliances for treating TMJ disorders, but these results suggest this is not the right approach.
Of course, the best way to avoid needing to treat facial pain is to practice excellent oral hygiene, and visiting the dentist for a check-up at least twice a year. By getting checked regularly, any oral problems can be addressed quickly. This helps to prevent more intense pain later on, if any dental problems are left untreated.
Excellent oral hygiene involves brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and as above, getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink, and not smoking also helps.
What we offer at Savanna Dental
At Savanna Dental, we offer our patients many services, allowing us to treat a range of dental conditions. We ensure our patients receive a comfortable and caring experience when visiting us.
Our dental clinic is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer services like regular check-ups, cavity fillings, root canals, dentures, and some cosmetic services such as tooth whitening.
If further treatment is required after a routine dental check-up, our patients are provided with a clear treatment plan.
Our Calgary based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent and affordable.
If you need dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be able to help. This can include advice on treating bad breath, gum disease, the effect our diet has on our oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.
Summary
With facial pain being very common, the findings of this study are very important. We now know the value of self-care exercises. It seems that using self-care techniques such as jaw exercises, meditation and warm compresses can be highly effective in treating pain.
We would love you to visit our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental! You can also read more about us on our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca and see more about what we offer our patients. We hope to see you soon!
- [1] National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2020). Temporomandibular Disorders: Priorities for Research and Care. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25652.
- [2] The TMJ Association. (2021). TMJ Basics. Available: https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/basics/. Last accessed 6th August 2021.
- [3] Llodra-Calvom, J. C., Carlos, J., Bravo-Perez, M., & Cortés-Martinicorena, F. J. (2002). Encuesta de Salud Oral En Espana. RCOE. 7(1), p19-63.
- [4] Kmeid, E., Nacouzi, M., Hallit, S., & Rohayem, Z. (2020). Prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorder in the Lebanese population, and its association with depression, anxiety, and stress. Head & Face Medicine, 16(1), p19-37.
- [5] Santiago, V., Raphael, K. G. (2019). Perceived helpfulness of treatments for myofascial TMD as a function of comorbid widespread pain. Clinical Oral Investigations. 23(1), p2929-2939.
