ORAL MUSCLE THERAPY
(719) 384-8703
Ice and Heat Treatment:
Place a zip lock bag of crushed ice on the affected side. Leave in place until the cheek feels numb, about ten minutes. If pain begins or gets worse, you are doing the right thing! Do this two or three times a day, until symptoms improve.
Medications:
Ibuprofen 200 mg, Advil 200 mg, or other pain relief agent every four hours, continuing for 24-48 hours. Other medications are possible, depending on the advice of the doctor.
Massage:
The facial areas that are sore to pressure can be massaged deeply in an up-and-down direction for a minute or two. Do this as often as necessary to relieve discomfort.
Acupressure:
Find a sore area on a muscle inside or outside your mouth. Push firmly enough to cause discomfort. Count for 30 seconds while causing discomfort. If the discomfort decreases during the 30 seconds of steady pressure, repeat the same procedure in an adjacent area, as if erasing the painful places by pressure. If the pain increases under the 30 seconds of pressure, decrease the pressure. Repeat as often as necessary.
Mouthguard, or stint or NTI:
A mouthguard can be an athletic one purchased at a store, or a professional mouthguard, stint or NTI can made in the dental office. It works by stretching muscles and cushioning opposing teeth during clenching. A mouthguard, stint or NTI is worn primarily at night, although daytime use is possible.
Chiropractor:
An adjustment of the temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) and muscle treatments can relieve symptoms for some people.
The above treatments assume that teeth are not the sole cause of the problem, and that teeth have been ruled out as needing repair. There are other treatments that are more complicated and require referral and extensive diagnostic tests.
Lincoln Square
CALL: If any other questions arise, feel free to call.
Lincoln Square Professional Bldg.
317 W. 3rd La Junta, Co. 81050
