The massage of masticatory muscles can relax tense states of the masticatory muscles caused by crunching and tensing the masticatory muscles and ease the pain caused by them.
- Mild bruxism and tension in the masticatory muscles is very common.
- Approximately 5–10% of adults experience severe bruxism and its consequences.
- The massage of masticatory muscles alleviates pain in the head and jaw area.
- Massage of masticatory muscles can be performed by a trained dental hygienist or dentist.
Grinding the teeth at night and tensing the chewing muscles during the day cause pain in the head and jaw area for many people. If you grind your teeth heavily at night (bruxism), your jaw will feel sore and painful especially in the morning. In addition, crunching can also cause dizziness, earache and stiffness and pain in the shoulders.
Massage of masticatory muscles can be performed by a trained dental hygienist or dentist. Massaging the masticatory muscles is always based on each person's own individual situation and needs.
The massage involves the manipulation of masticatory muscles from inside the mouth and on top of the head. It also involves the manipulation of the neck and shoulder area, skull base, head and facial area and, if necessary, the temporomandibular joint.
This is how the massaging the masticatory proceeds
- The treatment begins with massaging the muscles of the head and facial area.
- The massage of masticatory muscles is always gentle and involves small movements.
- Gloves are always worn when the muscles inside the mouth are manipulated.
- The most tense muscles are often inside the mouth.
- The massage helps the muscles relax and boosts the metabolism of the muscles.
The massage of masticatory muscles can relax the muscles and alleviate the pain. If the tension can be released, it is easier to make the masticatory muscles permanently relaxed through exercises. Manipulating the muscles in the head and mouth also makes it easier to produce sounds and breathe. The massage makes you feel completely relaxed.
Masticatory muscles can be kept relaxed through exercises
In most cases, alleviating the tension in the masticatory muscles requires more than one appointment. Dental hygienists and dentists who provide masticatory muscle massage services can assess your need for treatment. In most cases, 2–4 appointments are required and the treatment can continue with less frequent appointments.
An assessment as to whether a mouth guard that alleviates tension and pain would be useful can also be performed at an appointment. A dental hygienist can refer you to a dentist, if necessary. The treatment plan involves instructions for home exercises to help you relax your masticatory muscles.
The expert consulted for the article was dental hygienist Enni Janhunen.
You can book an appointment with a dental hygienist or dentist trained in the massage of masticatory muscles by calling Hammas Mehiläinen's customer service at 010 273 8000.
