Dentists! You Can Do Better

Admit it, you also lie to your dental hygienist about how often you floss. There’s gotta be some shame there. But you know what’s wild? At some point we all got over being terrified of the dentist like when we were kids. I certainly got over it. Until I started dealing with TMJD. Once again, the dentist is my nightmare.

I know I’m not the only one. But I think that for the millions out there struggling - it doesn’t have to be this way. All it takes is for dentists to do a little better.

Let’s imagine 2 scenarios. In both, take a patient with limited opening, jaw muscle tension, and the expected boat loads of pain. 

The first scenario is what 95% of us experience. And it all starts with “Open wide!” They know about your TMJ problems. They’re the first people you went to (although nothing has worked so far). They tell you to try your best anyway. But you have disc displacement without reduction. On your best days you can’t open past 32mm. This isn’t your best day. “Just a little wider please.” You can feel your ligaments tearing. Your jaw muscles shaking. How long can you manage this?

First the inspection - gotta get that mirror all the way back. Then the cleaning - gotta give the hygienist space. Then the Xray - god damn it those things they put in your mouth are big. Then the dentist comes in. Another inspection. There’s a cavity! Well that’s not a surprise, brushing your teeth has been excruciatingly painful for a year now. No worries, another 30 minutes of opening wide so they can take care of it! 

When you get out you feel like the worst is over. But then that same week you realize you never even understood the meaning of flare up. A future of living a life that isn’t consumed by jaw pain starts to get clouded. 

Here’s another scenario. From the second you step into the office, you’re handed a massager to help loosen up your jaw muscles. You start your cleaning, and instead of “just a little wider please” it’s “let me know if you need a break.” Instead of the standard xray inserts or mouth gags that mutilate your TMJ, they’re specially designed to work with a limited opening. They take up less space in the mouth, and the dentist has figured out techniques to manage the pain. During the filling, you’re given a heating pad and a vibration tool to block some of the pain. You go home feeling the same as when you came in. But you know what? Sometimes the same is a godsend. 

And here’s the thing. Neither were able to treat your TMJ Disorder. But who would you rather go to? It’s not a trick question. Dentist #2 didn’t have to take a course. Didn’t have to get certified as an orofacial pain specialist. Didn’t have to buy $50k medical equipment. All they had to do was care just a little bit. Care to look for simple things that would make the patient comfortable. If you’re a dentist, please be #2. You’ll have a lot of happy jaws thanking you for it.