Featured, Health Care, Teeth / Gum Care

9 Fruitful And Safe Home Remedies For TMJ

[toc]When the joint connecting the lower and upper jaw becomes damaged or out of alignment, this condition is called TMD or TMJ. There are numerous causes of Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) such as head trauma because of an accident, teeth grinding because of stress, malocclusion (bite problem) and more.

Remedies For TMJ

Various symptoms occur because of this dysfunction, which can cause a lot of misery. These symptoms include dizziness, jaw pain that radiates down to the shoulders and neck from the face, toothache, difficulty in opening and closing jaw, headaches, tinnitus or ringing in the ears and popping and clicking noises when chewing.


9 Home Remedies For TMJ

Foods To Eat

For getting some relief and relaxing the jaw joints, there are some simple home remedies that can be implemented. The difference between comfort and pain can often be a result of the foods that are consumed. A diet of soft foods is recommended like tender poultry, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, rice and homemade soups.

Connective tissue and cartilage can be rebuilt and repaired with sulfur due to which eating sulfur-rich foods such as asparagus, eggs, onions and garlic is recommended. Calcium is also contained in sulfur, which is essential for rebuilding the bones and strengthening the joints.

Foods To Eat


Jaw Exercises

TMJ disorder symptoms can be eased gradually with jaw stretches and other face exercises. There are several at-home jaw exercises that stretch the jaw muscles and a dentist, doctor or physical therapist should be consulted for them as they can teach how the muscles in the jaw can be properly massaged.

Some of the TMJ stretches are quite easy and can be done quickly. The stiff muscles of the face can be loosened up easily by turning the head towards the right slowly as far as you can and then doing the same simple stretch on the left side. They should be done when you get up in the morning and before going to sleep.

Jaw Exercises


Hot Cold Therapy

Hot or cold therapy can be implemented. The face muscles and jaw can be relaxed when people apply warm and moist heat packs onto them or even ice packs. The instructions for placement of the packs will be provided by the doctor along with the duration for which they should be applied.

Hot Cold Therapy


Night Guard Or Bite guard

A stabilization splint or a bite guard can also be worn by people. In this way, people will not grind or clench their teeth. Teeth will not be able touch with these bite guards that are made of plastic and are placed over the upper and lower teeth. Different types of bite guards can be found like a firm or soft bite guard.

A night guard provides protection to the teeth at night, which is why it can also be helpful. People who severely grind their teeth can ask a dentist to make hard night guards for them as they are typically made of soft plastic. The dentist’s office charges several hundred dollars for night guards while a drugstore offers them for a few dollars.

Night Guard Or Bite guard


Posture

Habits like clenching teeth, cradling the phone between check and shoulder and resting head on the hand should be recognized and eliminated as they cause stress to the joint. If people have to work at a desk, they should use a supportive chair to sit straight and also raise the level of your work surface.

This will prevent people from propping their heads onto the hand or hunching it. Use the speaker setting or purchase a headset if you need to use both hands while answering calls. Put a cork between your front teeth gently if you have the habit of clenching your teeth unconsciously while working or reading to keep your jaw relaxed and separated.

Posture


Calcium And Magnesium

Your morning orange juice should comprise of 250 milligrams of powdered magnesium and 500 milligrams of powdered calcium. Muscle relaxation is promoted with the combination of these minerals, which aids in reducing the tension of jaw muscles. Powdered form is recommended as it dissolves with ease and the body also absorbs it quickly, but capsules can also be taken if powdered form is not available anywhere.

Calcium And Magnesium


Clove Oil

Use clove oil to soak a cotton ball and then bite it. Jaw pain can be relieved with this oil as it comprises of warming and antiseptic properties, which are highly benefiical. Various drug stores can provide clove oil. Take a damp and hot cloth and place it over the jaw until it loses the heat. Jaw pain can be reduced and blood flow can be increased with the heat from the cloth.

Clove Oil


Omega 3 Oil Massage

Jaw pain can be reduced if inflammation and tension in the jaw decreased. For this purpose, people can stretch the jaw muscles; go for Oro facial massage, use green tea extracts or anti-inflammatory supplements like omega 3 oils for this reason. People can also use heating pads or ice packs, whichever preferable for reducing the pain and giving the jaw time to heal. Likewise, people should also avoid taking those foods that are difficult to chew as they stress the jaw muscles and worsen the pain experienced by people in the jaw.

Omega 3 Oil Massage


Acupuncture

The jaw muscles should be applied with a little bit of pressure. The muscles in the jaw area should be palpated with the aid of your forefinger. Fibers that are found above the sharp angle of the jaw should be the target of the pressure. Locate the tender points of the jaw first and then use your thumb or the points of your fingers for applying pressure onto them.

When an achy and dull sensation is created in the jaw area, people should stop applying the pressure. The pressure should be applied long enough that it has an impact, but there shouldn’t be excessive pressure. 30 seconds is the recommended time for this.

It is also advised that this process be repeated about 30 times on a daily basis to get some relief from the pain in the jaw. You can do this by lightly pressing with your fingers too, but make sure that you do it right or the pain can get worse.

Acupuncture