• TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint. TMJ acts like a “sliding hinge” that connects your jaw to your skull. Dysfunction of this “hinge” can lead to pain or discomfort.

    TMJ is very common.There are more than 3 million cases of TMJ per year.

    Some of the symptoms include jaw pain, difficulty chewing, headaches, and clicking and locking of the jaw joint.

  • TMJ disorders can be caused by an improper bite, wear and tear, arthritis, and injury/trauma.

  • If you’ve been diagnosed with TMJ dysfunction, your healthcare provider will probably recommend conservative treatment options first. Many of these therapies can work in combination with one another to provide TMJ relief:

    Apply moist heat or cold packs. Apply an ice pack to the side of your face and temple area for about 10 minutes for acute pain. Do a few simple stretching exercises for your jaw (as instructed by your healthcare provider). After exercising, apply a warm towel or washcloth to the side of your face for about five minutes. Do this a few times each day.

    Eat soft foods. To keep your jaw from working overtime, eat soft foods such as yogurt, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, fish, cooked fruits and vegetables, beans, and grains.

    Avoid hard and crunchy foods (like hard rolls, pretzels, raw carrots) and chewy foods (like caramels and taffy). Don’t chew gum.

    Take medications. To relieve pain and swelling, try over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or naproxen (Aleve®). Your healthcare provider can prescribe higher doses of NSAIDs or other drugs for pain such as narcotic analgesics.

    Muscle relaxants, especially for people who grind or clench their teeth, can help relax tight jaw muscles. Anti-anxiety drugs can help relieve stress, which is sometimes thought to worsen TMJ symptoms.

    Botulinum Toxin (Botox®). These injections help reduce muscle mass and inflammation.

    Wear a splint or night guard. Splints and night guards are mouthpieces that fit over your upper or lower teeth. When worn, the mouthpieces provide stable tooth contacts during closure. When worn, mouth guards also correct your bite by placing your jaw in a more favorable position. The main difference between splints and night guards is that night guards are only worn at night and splints are worn full time. Your healthcare provide can determine which type of oral appliance you may need.

    Undergo corrective dental treatments. These treatments include replacing missing teeth or using crowns, bridges, Invisalign or braces to bring your bite into proper balance and alignment.

    Avoid extreme jaw movements. For example:

    • Keep yawning and chewing to a minimum.

    • Don't rest your chin on your hand or hold the telephone between your shoulder and ear.

    • Practice good posture to reduce neck and facial pain.

    • Keep your teeth slightly apart as often as you can to relieve pressure on the jaw.

    • To control clenching or grinding during the day, place your tongue on the palate behind your upper front teeth.

    • Learn relaxation techniques to help control muscle tension in the jaw.

  • Your dentist can treat you for your TMJ disorder.