Routine dental care in patients with temporomandibular disorders.

Aims: While a significant number of therapeutic models have been suggested for management of orofacial pain and limited opening in patients experiencing temporomandibular disorders (TMD), little attention has been given to the issue of routine daily care activities, such as toothbrushing and flossing. The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of the extent to which TMD patients experience difficulty in performing routine daily mouth care.

Methods: Forty patients seeking care for TMD in the Orofacial Pain Center at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry were age- and gender-matched to a group of general dentistry patients not experiencing TMD.