Our jaw plays a vital role in chewing, eating, laughing, talking, and swallowing. When the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) that connects the lower jaw with the skull stops performing at its finest, jaw discomfort and jaw pain might disrupt your daily life.
TMJ issues lead to Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMD) that affect your daily activities like eating, speaking, and even sleeping. Living a painful life is not an option. So find practical solutions to help alleviate symptoms of TMD and improve your jaw health. Let’s learn TMD management tips to enjoy a pain-free routine:
What are the Signs of TMD?
Just like any other disease, TMD presents itself through signs such as:
- Persistent jaw pain
- Clicking or popping sounds whenever you move your jaw
- Headaches or ear pain during jaw movement
- Facing difficulty while chewing or a locked jaw
How to Improve Your TMD at Home?
While we know TMD treatment requires professional assistance, you can include these jaw-friendly habits in your routine to support the healing process:
- Eat softer foods to reduce pressure on your jaw
- Don’t chew gums or skip tough foods like steak
- Keep your jaw relaxed as much as possible
Why Use Heat and Cold Therapy to Manage TMD?
We all know how heat and cold therapy can help us get rid of body pain. So, it’s evident that the same therapy can also relieve you from jaw pain. Simply:
- Apply a warm compress on your jaw to relax your jaw muscles
- Use a cold pack on your jaw to reduce swelling and pain
Practicing Jaw Exercises
Along with at-home pain relief techniques, jaw exercises that de-stress jaw muscles might also help to manage TMD. The best exercises are:
- Open and close your mouth slowly to move jaw muscles and make them flexible
- Move your jaw side to side to make your muscles stronger
How to Manage Stress Levels?
Tips to manage TMD remain incomplete without mentioning stress level management. If you are willing to reduce the intensity of TMD, you must:
- Practice deep breathing techniques at least 4 times a week
- Meditate daily to lower your anxiety and stress level
- Shift your attention from any thoughts or activity that trigger your jaw clenching or teeth grinding
Seek Professional Support
All your efforts to manage TMD might be futile if you don’t consult a specialist. Only a professional specializing in TMJ & TMD can help you fix the issue. A professional can guide you on:
- How to use custom night guards to prevent grinding
- Physical therapy recommendations for long-term pain relief
- Can diagnose the underlying issues behind your TMD
Stay Consistent with Treatment
While you now have a ‘to-do’ list to manage TMD, you must be consistent with your routine. Stick to prescribed treatments for improvement. Consistency prevents sudden flare-ups and promotes long-term relief from pain.
If you are dealing with severe TMD pain and considering the help of a professional, contact our dentist for a consultation. Let’s work together to restore your jaw health and your peace of mind.