TMJ Pain Relief – 8 Best Practices for Managing Jaw Disorders

Is jaw pain making it difficult for you to eat your favorite foods?

You might be suffering from temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder.

This is a painful condition that might force you to look up “TMJ clinics near me” on the internet.

However, this condition can be easily managed at home using some simple self-care practices.

Read on to find out how you can manage TMJ pain at home without surgery.

What is TMJ?

 
The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone (mandible) to the skull.

This joint helps your jaw move up and down, side to side, and forward and backward.

Pain in the jaws is commonly caused by damage or wear and tear to this joint.

Some symptoms are:

• Aching pain in your jaws
• Facial pain
• Pain in your ears
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Tenderness of the jaw

Common causes of jaw pain

 
A layer of cartilage covers the bones interacting in the temporomandibular joint and has a shock-absorbing disc.

TMJ pain can occur if:

• The disc moves out of alignment
• The cartilage is damaged due to arthritis, causing friction
• The joint is damaged due to a traumatic injury

Best practices to relieve TMJ pain

 
Usually, TMJ pain can be managed with some at-home techniques and self-care.

Here are a few tips for managing TMJ pain at home:

1. Using a hot or cold compress: You can apply an ice pack or a hot compress on your jaw to relieve the pain. Ice will help reduce swelling, while the heat from a hot compress will increase blood flow to the area and reduce muscle tension.
2. Avoid wide movements of the jaw: If you are prone to TMJ pain, try to avoid a wide opening of the mouth. Be mindful when you are yawning, eating, or talking.
3. Correct your posture: Improving your posture is essential to manage TMJ pain. Always sit on chairs with good back support, and be mindful of your posture. Even during leisure activities like watching television, keep your back supported with a pillow.
4. Get a good night’s sleep: Sleep is an all-important activity for your overall health. Make sure that your head is supported with a pillow while you sleep. Avoid sleeping on your back, and don’t place your hand on the jaw.
5. Avoid certain foods: It might be best to avoid hard and crunchy foods and foods that require prolonged chewing to avoid triggering jaw pain. Also, avoid taking large bites of food.
6. Take note of bad habits: Some habits like clenching your teeth, nail-biting, and chewing on lips and cheeks might trigger jaw pain. Try to mindfully avoid these habits. If you have the habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, consider getting custom night guards to protect your teeth.
7. Exercises for your jaw: You can practice strengthening and stretching exercises for the jaw. Always consult your dentist before you do this.
8. Reduce stress: Practice meditation and other calming techniques to manage stress. It will help relax your facial muscles and reduce pain in the jaws.

Should you get surgery for TMJ disorders?

 
Surgery to treat TMJ pain is usually the last resort, and it doesn’t cure the problem permanently. Doctors can recommend you go for a surgery if:

• At-home treatments haven’t worked
• You are having severe pain that is interfering with your daily life
• You have restricted jaw movement, which is making it hard to eat and drink
• There are structural problems in your jaw joint

Frequently asked questions

How long does it typically take for TMJ pain to improve with home remedies?

 
TMJ pain can improve with home remedies in a few days to a few weeks, but it can vary depending on several factors like the severity of the pain and your overall health.

What are some common misconceptions about TMJ pain?

 
Some common misconceptions about TMJ pain are:

1. Surgery is the only treatment: Surgery is an option for severe TMJ pain, but non-surgical treatments like medications and injections are often tried first.
2. TMJ only affects the elderly or very young: TMJ can affect people of any age, but it’s more common in teenagers.

Key takeaways

 
Jaw pain is caused due to the wear and tear in the TMJ.

This pain is manageable at home with some self-care techniques.

If you are finding it difficult to manage TMJ pain at home and looking for an affordable dental clinic to get the problem treated, look no further.

Our expert team at Galaxy Dental will provide you with the right solution for TMJ treatment in Calgary.

Our TMJ dentist will perform a thorough examination and give you a personalized treatment plan.

Besides TMJ pain treatment, we also perform common dental like root canal treatment, wisdom tooth removal, and front tooth filling.

Contact us to know how we can help you.