How to Find TMJ Relief Solutions That Really Work

Dental Care Burke • May 23, 2023

TMJ can be very painful to your jaw. Discover some TMJ relief solutions that will help ease your jaw pain and other associated aches.

Between 5 and 12% of the general adult population have some form of TMJ disorder. The condition is twice as common in women than in men. Patients between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop temporomandibular joint disorder.

If smiling, chewing, talking, and laughing hurts, you might want to look for TMJ relief. Don't worry; surgery isn't your only option.

Read on to discover the TMJ therapies you can use to ease your symptoms.

Recognize the Symptoms

As many as 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders, though many don't know how to recognize the symptoms. Consider visiting a TMD dentist if you experience:

Headaches
Vertigo
Pain in the face or neck
Stiffness in your jaw muscles
Locking of the law
Limiting jaw movement
Tinnitus
Dental issues
Clicking or popping around the jaw
Shift in the jaw
Changes in how your teeth align (malocclusion)

Though treatable, the condition can have different causes based on your lifestyle and health.

For example, conditions that can contribute to TMJ symptoms include arthritis, teeth grinding, growth disorders, and joint erosion. Structural jaw issues presented at the time of your birth can lead to TMJ disorder, too.

Schedule a dental appointment if you experience jaw pain. Your dentist will use X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to diagnose your condition. They can help you determine which of the TMJ therapies can help relieve your symptoms.

Non-Drug Treatments

Self-care (or self-management practices) can help relieve your TMJ symptoms. Try these at-home techniques if you experience mild or moderate TMJ symptoms.

If you continue to experience symptoms, don't hesitate to visit your TMD dentist. They might determine surgery to fix the structural problem is the best course of action.

Hot or Cold Compress

The next time you experience pain or discomfort, grab a hot compress. Applying heat to the area will increase circulation around the joints. It can also help relax the jaw muscles.

A cold compress, on the other hand, can numb jaw pain and ease inflammation.

Heat a moist towel in the microwave or use a hot gel pack to apply heat to the area for 10 minutes. Otherwise, wrap an ice pack in a cloth and apply it to the area for 15 to 20 minutes.

Soft Foods

If you begin experiencing pain and discomfort, avoid eating hard foods like hard candies and nuts. Try to avoid chewy foods like taffy and gum as well. Certain foods can trigger pain in your jaw or make it worse.

Instead, switch to soft food the next time your TMJ pain flares up. These foods can include eggs, bananas, and yogurt. Soft food will give the jaw joint time to rest.

Massage Therapy

Try massaging your temples, neck, and jaw to relax muscles in the area. Massage therapy could help reduce the stress contributing to your TMJ pain. If you can't do an at-home massage yourself, consider visiting a massage therapist.

Physical Therapy

Consult your TMD dentist or physical therapist to develop a routine of jaw exercises. Exercise can help improve your jaw's movements. It could also reduce pain in your TMJ joints.

If you experience pain when doing these exercises, stop and give your body time before engaging the joint.

First, try relaxing your jaw. With your teeth a little apart, open your mouth slowly, as wide as you can. Look up with your eyes and hold your mouth open for a few seconds. Close it and repeat.

You can also try Rocabado 6x6 exercises:

Place the tip of your tongue on the mouth's upper palate
Open and close the jaw
Place two fingers on the chin
Open and close your jaw while pressing your tongue to your palate
Lift and lower the chin as if nodding
Squeeze your shoulder blades together
Lift and lower your chest

If your pain and discomfort are stress-related, try relaxation techniques to reduce the tension instead.

Surgery

Remember, your dentist might recommend surgery if you're suffering from severe joint problems. Let your dentist know if your symptoms are severe or persist.

They might recommend open-joint surgery, arthroscopy, or arthrocentesis. Consult your dentist to determine the best course of action.

Mouth Guards

Wearing an oral splint or mouth guard can stabilize and support your jaw. Try wearing a mouth guard through the night if you grind your teeth (bruxism), too.

Otherwise, make sure to get a good night's sleep. Go to bed and wake up at the same time to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm. If you're still struggling to sleep, consider consulting a doctor.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback involves sensors that measure bodily functions. You can monitor processes, including muscle contractions, breathing rate, heart rate, and brain waves. Biofeedback allows you to make adjustments based on the data to ease your pain.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture could reduce your TMJ symptoms as well. A practitioner will use tiny needles at different points of your body to stimulate nerves in your muscles and skin.

Sessions last between 15 and 30 minutes.

Medications

If these at-home TMJ therapies don't work, consider talking to your dentist about medications. Your dentist will prescribe certain medications based on the severity of your symptoms. The most common medications used to treat TMJ include:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Benzodiazepines
Anticonvulsants
Botox
Corticosteroids
Tricyclic antidepressants
Muscle relaxants

Taking medications could cause side effects, though. For example, you might experience fatigue, dizziness, or drowsiness. NSAIDs can cause heart attacks, strokes, or stomach ulcers (especially if you have a history of these problems).

Only take medications as prescribed by your dentist.

Talk to your dentist if these side effects persist or affect your quality of life.

Discover TMJ Relief Today

Don't let your TMJ pain affect your day-to-day life. Instead, use these tips for TMJ relief. If your symptoms persist, visit your TMD dentist to explore other treatment options.

With help, you can ease your pain before it causes further discomfort.

Want to talk to a dentist about your symptoms? We're here to help.

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Dr. Bernard Lynch

D.M.D

Dr. Bernard Lynch, DMD, FAGD, LVIF is focused around giving his patients the best possible dental care towards the end of long-term, overall good oral health, beautiful smiles, all while maintaining patient comfort. Dr. Lynch routinely keeps up-to-date with most cutting-edge dental technology and advances so as to cultivate a feeling of safety and comfort when his patients sit in the dental chair. He is broadly recognized for the continuous attention to his patients feelings, and of their mind-sets while they are under his care.

Joshua Kibrom

Treatment Plan Coordinator

Joshua Kibrom grew up in Saint Paul, Minnesota where he attended the University of Minnesota for Marketing and Business Management. Upon moving to Northern Virginia, he began providing services at Dental Care Burke as a Treatment Plan Coordinator. To fully understand the needs of the patients, he obtained certification as a dental assistant. His main objective is to help the patients achieve the necessary treatment and fully understand the financial aspects of the plan. Joshua will work with patients to ensure all of your questions are answered appropriately.

Michael Gebre

Registered Dental Assistant

Micheal Gebre graduated from Northern Virginia Community College with a major in biology. He later received his Dental Assistant II (DAII) degree from Germana Community College, under Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Virginia in 2016. Michael works as Registered DAII, which is the new version of Dental Physician Assistant. He had over 10 years experience as a Dental Assistant before becoming a Registered DAII.