TMJ Pain: 9 At-Home Treatments to Ease Jaw Discomfort
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If you can’t avoid it, try to open your mouth as less as possible. Getting your daily recommended values of calcium and magnesium through your diet may also play a role in alleviating TMJ pain. An average adult requires a daily magnesium intake of 310 mg, while the average calcium intake is around 1,000 mg per day. The following are just some of these methods you can try at home today.
If you still have symptoms of pain and discomfort after 2 weeks of TMJ home treatment, call your physician. If you are having too much pain while opening your mouth or brushing your teeth, then prompt medical attention is required. Muscle-relaxing drugs may be prescribed by your physician for severe TMD.
General Dental Care
The treating community remains in chaos and controversy about TMJ treatments. Did you know… approximately one-third of the population experiences some jaw “clicking and popping,” but experiences no pain or restricted jaw movement? For this group of people,no treatment is necessaryand this isnot considered to be a TMJ problem.
TMJ surgery involves replacing or repairing part of the jaw to treat temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders. That's why it's best to find a dentist who has extensive training and/or experience in the treatment of TMJ problems. Successful treatment may also require the services of an orthopedist; a neurologist; an ear, nose, and throat specialist; and a physical therapist or chiropractor. And if you're struggling with reducing or coping better with stress, you might benefit from a visit with a mental-health professional. Look for professionals with whom you feel comfortable and who will take the time to explain things to you. Not everyone who has misaligned jaw joints experiences severe symptoms.
How to treat TMJ at home in 2 minutes!
With a restful period of warm, moist compresses and relaxed eating, you can help resolve a majority of your TMJ pain. A mandibular repositioning splint is used in certain cases, especially where sleep apnea is a problem. This more invasive splint is designed to move the lower jaw to alter its position.
The dentist makes a small cut right next to the ear and uses the tool to examine the area. The tender trigger points on the face are injected with anesthetic to relieve the pain. Just remember that these drugs are a temporary pain reliever only. However, you should make sure sleep apnea is already ruled out since bite guards may increase air obstruction.
What do they do for TMJ surgery?
He started the practice in 1992 with a simple vision to help as many people as possible. The position of your head on your neck is a primary cause as well as contributing factor influencing pain and dysfunction of the TMJ. This includes posture while sleeping, while working on the computer and while watching TV. Temporomandibular joint disorders, known as TMD’s, have many symptoms. Some affect the jaw joints directly, and some don’t.
Give it a break by switching up your diet for a soft, non-chew diet. Usually a 3-6 week course of this diet will do wonders for your TMJ. Do it yourself or have a loved one rub lightly in small circles over the masseter and temporalis muscles located on the side of your jaw and temples respectively. Gently grasp the back corner of your jaw with the palm of your hand on the side of your face. Gently pull down while staying relaxed in your face and neck. We hope that this post can provide an effective avenue for self care of TMJ at home.
Stress management techniques
It is important that your doctor rule out any other conditions which could be causing your symptoms. If you have pain when you chew or yawn, you know the discomfort of TMJ disorders. You may find relief with some or all of the following therapies which can be managed at home. As a service to our readers, University Health News offers a vast archive of free digital content.
If you work at a desk, sit up straight in a supportive chair and raise your work surface if necessary to prevent yourself from hunching over with your head propped on your hand. If you need to use both hands while talking on the phone, invest in a headset or use the speaker setting if available. Use a heating pad or hot-water bottle to ease aching jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles. Be careful to keep the heat low enough not to cause burns to the skin in these sensitive areas, though. The next page is filled with home remedies for coping with your TMJ problem.
Analgesics can be used to relieve pain and inflammation in all forms of TMJ inflammation. Magnesium along with calcium works to build healthy muscles and build bones in your body. You can do this method when you have free time. After each method, you should take a break from 4 to 5 minutes so that the jaw muscle can be recovered.
Thankfully, most cases of TMJ disorders are temporary and can be relieved with self-managed care. To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page. Your TMJ takes a beating with all the talking and chewing you do.
Pregnant women under 3 months are advised not to eat cashew nuts. The muscles of the joint are fatigued by overwork, which can occur if the patients often grind teeth together. If you carry a heavy briefcase or purse often on one shoulder, try to lighten the load as the weight disturbs the alignment of your neck and spine.
For small flare-ups, start by icing your jaw if the injury is more acute and recent , or apply a warm, moist compress to release your muscles. You can also take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to relieve pain. Since multiple conditions (e.g., tooth decay, arthritis, sinus issues, or gum disease) can cause similar symptoms, it’s best to see a dentist for a true diagnosis. Your dentist will assess your health and dental history and conduct a physical exam of your mouth and jaw to determine the cause of your problems. Try calming exercises such as lightly touching your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Avoid chewing on things like nails, pencils and ice.
It you absolutely need to carry the load, shift it from one shoulder to another while you are walking. When under stress, don’t clench your jaw or grind your teeth. You can put your tongue in between the teeth to make sure that you don’t grind them. If you work a lot on desk, take a break of few minutes and meditate.
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