Home Treatment TMJ

TMJ is the commonly used acronym for temporomandibular joint disorder. The pain associated with TMJ is thought to be caused by displacement of the cartilage where the lower jaw connects to the skull causing pressure and stretching of the associated sensory nerves. Problems in this area can cause head and neck pain, a jaw that is locked in position or difficult to open, problems biting, and popping sounds when you bite. Often in most cases TMJ are temporary therefore there are something's that you can do at home to ease the pain.

oDon't overuse your jaw. Avoid hard foods.

oTry over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications. Some TMJ sufferers find ibuprofen especially effective.

oTake a stress management course or listen to relaxation tapes. TMJ is sometimes caused by and always aggravated by stress.

oPractice stretching exercises designed especially for the shoulders and neck. This will help reduce some of the tension in your upper body.

oStand tall. Good posture helps your jaw to sit properly.

oAvoid spending hours over the computer. Holding your neck stiff aggravates TMJ.

oTake muscle relaxants if jaw pain persists. Your doctor can write you a prescription for pain relievers.

oWear a mouth guard. Many sufferers of TMJ grind their teeth at night. Grinding puts stress on the jaw joints and muscles. A mouth guard prevents night grinding.

oAsk your dentist about an intra-oral orthotic. This is a temporary mouth splint that helps reposition the jaw, thus alleviating joint stress and pressure.

Also, changing your diet may help in a certain way. Here are some quick facts regarding diet:

oCutting back on salicylates.

oCutting back on wheat and dairy.

oAvoiding foods and supplements with a lot of vitamin C or iron.

oAvoiding foods with sugar, yeast and preservatives.

oEating more fat, especially moderate amounts of saturated fat.

oEating more red meat.

oEating organ meat on occasion.

oEating vegetable soup with a lot of greens (for magnesium) and broth made from animal parts (bones, tendons, etc. for hyaluronic acid.)