Available Options For Home Treatment For Tmj

By: Rashel Dan

Individuals with TMJ disorder can suffer more than just minor discomfort. A TMJ can become so painful that it can even hamper your day to day activities. When this happens, it becomes tempting to immediately think about aggressive solutions like surgery. Generally though, every other solution should be attempted first before considering invasive treatment. You might want to first consider some home treatment TMJ solutions.

- The most straightforward solution is to simply rest your jaw. This could mean properly scheduling your eating and speaking time. Do not even chew gum when you are resting.

- Don't work and eat at the same time. This can lead to tense jaw clenching.

- You can try taking non prescription anti inflammatory medicine and pain relievers if the pain becomes unbearable. It is important however to take even over the counter medicines only as indicated or in the right amounts. Resist the urge to over medicate.

- Hot or cold compress can also help ease the pain and discomfort of a TMJ disorder. TMJ conditions differ from one person to another and some people may be comfortable only with one or the other kind of compress. Be sensitive on what works for you.

- Since bad posture is one possible cause for worse TMJ pain, make sure that your posture is always correct when sitting and standing.

- Switch to soft and easy to bite foods for a few days to prevent the pain from aggravating. A good home treatment TMJ solution is to keep away from candies, bagels, steak and other crunchy or hard foods. You might also want to stay away from foods that require you to open your jaws widely like large decked or rolled sandwiches.

- Some people unconsciously clench their teeth especially in tense situations. Remind yourself not to clench or grind. If tense or stressful situations increase clenching, then keep away as much as possible from these tense situations. If you cannot entirely keep away, then at least set aside a few hours a day to calm yourself and your jaws.

- Wear mouthguard or splint when slipping. This is to prevent teeth from grinding. Some people however unfortunately do experience worse symptoms with mouth guards.

- Since stress can be a cause for TMJ, learn to manage or deal with stress. One great way is to learn and practice relaxation techniques that can be used while seated in an office. Some good and easy techniques are deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. At home, you can also perform yoga, meditation or listen to relaxing music and sounds.

- Avoid unnecessary talking and use your jaw only when you have to speak and when you have to eat. Avoid using it to hold the phone. You should also avoid using your mouth to hold objects while your hands are busy.

- You can also ask your doctor for jaw massage and exercise techniques.

Remember that not every TMJ sufferer reacts well to common home treatment TMJ solutions. Be sure to consult with your doctor first before seriously following a home remedy.