Before you begin TMJ home remedies you need to first determine that what you are experiencing is really TMJ. TMJ is a condition that affects the jaw, usually as a result of misalignment. You may experience frequent headaches that are more prominent in the morning.
You may find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth. You may even notice that your teeth are wearing down as a result of the grinding. People with TMJ often experience jaw pain and hear a clicking or popping when opening and closing the mouth. It is common to experience facial pain, neck pain, tooth pain, or shoulder pain. Some people have difficulty opening their mouth or their mouth may stick open if they try to open their mouth very wide. There may also be earaches, ear pain, or itching.
You don’t have to immediately make a trip to the dentist. There are plenty of TMJ home remedies that may very well work for you and save you the expense of the dentist.
The pain you experience with TMJ comes from muscle spasms. Often a good jaw massage is what the doctor ordered. You will want to massage the joints that are found directly in front of the ears. This should help relax the muscles and reduce the spasms.
Heat is a great way to relax muscles. A heating pad applied to the jaw area can help soothe tight muscles. A heating pad can also do the trick. Just make sure you keep the temperature low enough so that you will not burn the skin. The jaw area is sensitive and can easily burn.
Just as good as heat is an ice pack. TMJ home remedies call for you to alternate heat and cold. By using heat for approximately 20 minutes then using an ice pack for about five minutes often provides instant relief.
Over the counter pain relievers are great TMJ home remedies. Something that contains acetaminophen or ibuprofen helps to relieve the pain and stop inflammation. Aspirin or Excedrin are great pain relievers for those who are experiencing mild to moderate pain.
Try watching your habits to see what might be placing your jaw in an uncomfortable angle. Perhaps you rest your head on your hand or hold the phone between your head and shoulders. You may not be aware that you are clenching your teeth. If you find that you are clenching your teeth unconsciously you might want to put something in your mouth to hold it open for a while. This will help you break your clenching habit. Look at the way you sit at work and make sure you don’t slump.
Try to just relax. Stress can cause clenching or tightening of the jaw without your realizing it. Try some deep breathing exercises to help your body relax. Take some deep breaths and slowly exhale. Try this several times a day to help you stay relaxed. Another way to relax is to close your eyes and envision a beautiful place that makes you peaceful. Try alternating this exercise with your deep breathing.
TMJ home remedies can be simple and provide you relief without having to spend a lot of money visiting a dentist.
