Treating TMJ at home is a possible, especially when you are simply looking to relieve minor pain and discomfort. TMJ pain can present itself as headaches, facial pain, neck stiffness and pain, and earaches.
This article will outline 10 proven ways of treating TMJ at home and will provide you with the tools you need to relieve some of the pain and discomfort you are experiencing from TMJ.
During a TMJ flare-up, choose a soft food diet. Chewing less will minimize jaw movement and promote healing. It also lets the muscles surrounding the TMJ heal and reduce strain. When treating TMJ at home, choose a supporting diet that includes:
Our Dental Nutrition article has more tips on eating healthy to support your smile.
The TMJ is responsible for chewing, talking, and yawning. Any jaw movements involve the TMJ and supporting muscles and ligaments.
Minimizing movement will let the muscles rest and prevent any friction around the TMJ. Try to not talk for long periods of time and reduce moving the jaw when possible.
When treating TMJ at home, use heat to promote healing. Heat will increase blood flow to the TMJ. The warmth will also help the muscles relax and release tension.
For some, applying cold will feel better. Cold compresses will help pain associated with inflammation and swelling.
Massage therapy will help relax the muscles and ligaments and reduce nerve compression. The masseter muscle is the powerful muscle responsible for chewing, grinding, and clenching.
Acupuncture therapy involves inserting needles into the jaw, face, and ear. This includes the trigger points of the medial pterygoid, masseter, the temporalis muscles, and the lateral pterygoid. It can relieve pain, regulate inflammation, reduce stress, and promote muscle relaxation.
Medications that are prescribed for chronic, extreme cases of TMJ flare-ups are steroids, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxers. If your pain cannot be managed with at-home remedies, talk to your dentist and medical doctor about the next steps.
A custom-fit night guard is a great way to alleviate pain and prevent damage to the anatomy surrounding the TMJ. A night guard is a barrier between the top and bottom teeth opening the jaw slightly. A professionally made night guard will:
Our Night Guards for TMJ Pain article has additional information.
When stressed, the tension in the body is stored in the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders. Stress can also trigger long periods of clenching and grinding. Treating TMJ at home includes stress management practices.
Jaw exercises are a great way to prevent TMJ flare-ups. Exercising the jaw will help strengthen, stretch, and relax the supporting TMJ structures. Avoid jaw exercises when the TMJ is in pain. This can increase the pain and prolong healing during TMJ flare-ups.
Having good posture doesn’t just involve sitting up straight and shoulders back and down. Having good jaw posture is important to prevent TMJ pain.
Using the 10 ways of treating TMJ at home that we listed above is a great way to help relieve some pain and discomfort form TMJ. It’s always important to keep your dentist up to date on any jaw pain you’re experiencing.
If these techniques aren’t helping or the pain is getting worse, contact your dentist and set up an appointment to discuss other options.
For most people, TMJ pain goes away as the joint and muscles heal. Flare-ups can last for a few days up to a few weeks. Talk to your dentist and doctor if the TMJ pain gets worse and more frequent.
The average TMJ flare-ups are a few days but some can experience some symptoms up to a few weeks. At the first signs of TMJ pain, use the above at-home remedies to prevent any worsening.
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