7 Effective Ways to Relieve Painful TMJ Symptoms

TMJ is the name of your jaw joint. When we talk about TMJ symptoms, we’re discussing TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction), and if you’re among the 10-15% of individuals in this country who suffer from TMJD, you understand how debilitating this condition can be. TMJ symptoms of jaw tenderness and pain, facial pain, chronic headaches, and restricted jaw movements can disrupt your life. At Semidey Dental, we offer TMJ pain treatment to help relieve the pain. 

In this post, Drs. Alex Semidey and Sara Tarte explore seven effective ways to relieve painful TMJ symptoms:   

1. Oral Splints and Mouth Guards

An oral splint or mouth guard is often the first step in treating TMJ pain. These devices help reduce pressure on your jaw muscles and joints to relieve even the worst TMJ symptoms. Our dentist can customize these devices for you and show you how to use them so you can get the most benefit.   

2. Botox

Botox injections are mainly known for cosmetic reasons, but they serve an essential medical purpose as well – to control hyperactive muscle behavior. This leads to incredible benefits such as relieving TMJ pain. When injected into the muscles of your jaw, Botox helps ease TMJ pain and improve jaw mobility. Botox relaxes overactive jaw muscles to minimize jaw clenching, grinding, and stiffness. In doing so, it helps control painful TMJ symptoms and positively impacts dental and gum health.

3. Manage Any Underlying Sleep Issues

One of the main contributors to bruxism (clenching and grinding, which leads to the painful TMJD) is a lack of adequate oxygen while we sleep. These events range from Respiratory Effort Related Arousals to Sleep Apnea. They can occur dozens or hundreds of times per night, and as the body struggles to receive more oxygen, it attempts to reposition the jaw in ways that open the airway and improve breathing. This is a multidisciplinary team effort to manage effectively, in which we will work closely with ENT and Physical Therapists to improve treatment outcomes. 

4. Jaw Exercises

The idea of exercising your jaw while suffering from TMJ may sound painful, but particular jaw exercises actually help relieve pain and tension by keeping your jaw flexible and strong. Dr. Alex and Dr. Sara can recommend exercises you can do to keep TMJ pain to a minimum.   

4. Stress Management

Stress can cause you to clench or grind your teeth even more, worsening TMJ symptoms. Managing your stress can ease jaw tension to minimize your symptoms. There are many things you can do to manage stress in your life. Meditation, yoga, and exercise are effective stress relievers for many people. Sleep hygiene (a consistent, deep-sleep-friendly routine) and a healthy diet can also help minimize stress and improve your overall health.

5. Warm Compresses and Cold Packs

Warm compresses and cold packs are temporary measures that can help alleviate jaw pain. You can use one or the other or even both at different times if your jaw is feeling especially sensitive or painful.

6. Change of Habits  

If you have TMJ, it’s best to avoid hard, chewy foods that put undue pressure on your jaw. Poor posture, gum chewing, and nail-biting are additional bad habits you can avoid to relieve TMJ pain and discomfort. Slouching can strain the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and jaw, triggering TMJ symptoms. Prolonged gum chewing overworks jaw muscles and joints, leading to jaw tension and pain.

Where to Go for TMJ Pain Relief Near Me

Living with TMJ pain? We’d love to help. Reach out to your Davie/Plantation dentists at Semidey Dental – call (954) 939-0996 and let’s figure out the right treatment for you. 

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