Do you have jaw, head or neck pain from TMJ? It can make it hard to get through the day, because the pain shows up in so many places: your teeth, your facial muscles, your jaw joints, your ears (as pain or ringing), your head and your neck. If that sounds familiar, there’s hope. A TMJ dentist near you can offer treatment built for your situation.
In the meantime, here are the home remedies I give my patients to reduce TMJ pain through the day. I’m Dr. Charles Sutera, and I treat TMJ patients at Aesthetic Smile Reconstruction in Waltham, MA, in the Boston metro area.
Does stretching help TMJ pain?
Yes. Just like you stretch before and after a workout to keep muscles loose, gentle jaw stretches ease tension in sore TMJ muscles.
Slowly open and close your mouth, then move your jaw side to side. One technique works especially well: rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth, then slowly open without letting your tongue leave the palate. You’ll feel a stretch at the back of your jaw just before your tongue pulls away.
Hold that for about 30 seconds, and repeat 4 to 5 times a day. This stretches the pterygoid muscles, the ones most often sore in TMJ patients who don’t have headaches.
What medication helps TMJ pain?
An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen is the first line of defense. When your jaw is fatigued, the muscles and joints become inflamed, and calming that inflammation reduces pain.
A TMJ dentist may prescribe a stronger anti-inflammatory. Until then, most healthy adults can take 400 to 600 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours. The key is taking it consistently around the clock for 2 to 3 days. Check with your doctor first if you have any health conditions or take other medications.
Can posture affect TMJ pain?
Yes. Your jaw muscles are tied to the muscles of your head, neck and upper back. Tension in one area can cause pain in another, because the nerves in your spine are so closely connected that pain can travel surprisingly far.
Sit up straight, with your knees bent at about 90 degrees and your arms supported comfortably. Notice any daily tasks that keep one side of your body strained more than the other. At a desk, take breaks, squeeze your shoulder blades back and do gentle neck stretches.
Why should you keep your teeth apart?
Because your jaw muscles only generate force when your teeth are together. Most TMJ pain comes from that muscle force, so keeping your teeth apart takes the load off.
This is harder than it sounds. Many TMJ patients catch themselves clenching again and again. Keep at it until you can be evaluated. Remember: if your teeth are touching, you’re clenching. Clenching creates muscle force, force creates fatigue and fatigue creates TMJ pain.
Does stress make TMJ pain worse?
Yes. TMJ pain, jaw soreness and headaches all have an emotional side. Under stress, your muscles tense up and you feel that tension more.
In my practice, a large share of TMJ patients are highly driven people juggling big personal and professional demands at the same time. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. People who expect a lot of themselves carry a lot of tension.
Do your best to keep a positive outlook, limit time in high-pressure situations and manage stressful events where you can. I know it’s easier said than done. But stress feeds TMJ pain.
When should you see a TMJ dentist?
If these remedies don’t bring lasting relief, it’s time for an evaluation. Home care manages symptoms. Treatment addresses the cause.
At Aesthetic Smile Reconstruction, TMJ care is a core part of my practice. Contact us at our office in Waltham, Massachusetts, in the Boston metro area. My team and I are happy to answer your questions and help you find the long-lasting relief you deserve.
Not close to Waltham? Patients from Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, Wellesley, Concord, Lexington and Waltham can send photos and records before they travel, so Dr. Charles Sutera can review them first. Find us at 75 3rd Ave, Waltham, MA 02451, call (781) 487-1111, or read how TMJ evaluation and treatment work.
