If you’ve ever had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain or discomfort, you may be all too familiar with the jaw pain, headaches, and odd clicking or grinding noises that come with the condition. For some people, TMJ is a mild annoyance, but for others, it can greatly impact their quality of life.

Conservative treatments are generally best for TMJ and are recommended by most professionals [1]. This means you may only need minor treatment or even home care practices to help resolve the issue. What are some ways you can find relief from TMJ?

Don’t Overwork Your Jaw

When you have TMJ pain or discomfort, your jaw joints are likely already inflamed and irritated. Therefore, it’s important not to overwork your jaw. This means chewing gum, frequently eating tough foods, or excessive yawning can all aggravate existing TMJ inflammation and symptoms.

Try to keep your jaw at rest as much as possible. Your dentist can also teach you gentle stretching exercises you can do to improve your jaw mobility and ease discomfort. Many patients improve with non-invasive therapies, including physical therapy [2].

Your dentist may also initially recommend an anti-inflammatory medication to help reduce discomfort and inflammation while you are pursuing treatment.

Have Your Bite Evaluated

It’s possible that a misaligned bite or teeth could either lead to a temporomandibular joint disorder or aggravate an existing one [3]. It’s worth getting your bite evaluated to see if a possible misalignment could be causing your symptoms or worsening an existing condition.

For some patients, it’s also possible that any dental restorations they may have—including crowns or dentures—may not properly fit their teeth, which could lead to an improper bite and the associated pain and discomfort that comes with TMJ.

Wear a Night Guard for Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is another potential cause of temporomandibular joint discomfort. While bruxism won’t be the cause of TMJ in every patient or may only be part of the equation, patients who clench or grind their teeth can benefit from wearing a nightly mouthguard to prevent damage to the teeth and reduce the inflammation and discomfort associated with TMJ symptoms [4].

Your dentist can typically tell if you grind your teeth by conducting a simple oral exam and asking you a few questions. Treatment for bruxism may be temporary or long-term, depending on your specific symptoms and other factors such as stress.

Follow Up With Your Dentist

Working with a dentist experienced in diagnosing and treating temporomandibular joint disorders is essential to get to the bottom of your pain and identify effective treatment options moving forward. Fortunately, in the majority of cases, minimally invasive treatments are successful. Follow up with your dentist to find relief from TMJ discomfort and start improving your quality of life.

Sources:
1. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-12/tmj-disorders.pdf
2. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0315/p378.html
3.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344499530_Relationship_Between_TMJ_Dis
orders_and_Malocclusion
4. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/t/tmj