Effective Home Remedies for TMJ

TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint which connects your skull to the lower jaw. You can find the joint on both sides of your head. You can open and close the jaw easily due to this joint, but when you face problems within your jaw and the muscles in your face, it is known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, more than 10 million people in the United States are suffering from TMD. If you are suffering from the problem, then contact the specialist for TMJ treatment.

The Risk Factors

It is still not known that what is the reasons behind TMJ disorder but there are few risk factors that are responsible for TMD including,

• Erosion of the joint

• Clenching of the teeth

• Arthritis

• Structural jaw problems present at birth

The Symptoms

There are a few symptoms that you may notice if you are suffering from this condition. The following are,

1. Experience stiffness in the muscles of the jaw

2. locking of the jaw

3. A tired feeling in the face

4. Trouble while chewing

5. Swelling on the side of your face

Home Remedies

There are various treatment plans available and these options are varied from patient to patient. Apart from that, you can try a few home remedies to reduce pain and other symptoms.

Jaw Exercises

Chin Tucks

In this exercise, first, you have to keep your shoulders back and up your chest. After that, you have to tuck your chin into your neck. Now, you have to hold the position for at least three seconds and back to your starting position. Make sure to repeat this exercise 10 times.

1. Make a Change in Your Diet Plan

   You have to avoid hard, chewy, or crunchy foods to rest your jaw for some time. You should take yogurt, soup, scrambled eggs and while smoothies. Eating hard food can make your TMJ disorder condition worse.

2. Take Magnesium Supplementation

   According to research, taking magnesium supplementation is really helpful to get relief from TMJ pain. Keep in mind that magnesium has the ability to relax the muscles. As reported, most Americans have low magnesium levels, so taking magnesium supplementation can make a huge difference in that case.

3. Hot and Cold Therapy

   You should apply both hot and cold packs to the specific affected area to get relief from the pain. You can apply the ice pack and do jaw exercises for 10 minutes and after that apply the warm washcloth to the area for 5 minutes and do another jaw exercise. You may repeat this a few times per day.

Visit Us

If you are suffering from this problem for a longer period of time, then contact TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Oklahoma City. The professionals will guide and make you a TMJ treatment plan according to your need in OKC.

**Disclaimer: The information on this page is not intended to be a doctor's advice, nor does it create any form of patient-doctor relationship.