Help for TMJ Pain

TMJ (or temporomandibular joint) disorders are characterized by pain and possible malfunction of the joint at the jaw. It can affect one or both joints and can interfere with your ability to breathe, speak, swallow, chew, eat and make facial expressions. TMJ disorders fall into three major categories: myofascial pain (the most common, characterized by muscular pain in the jaw), internal derangement of the joint and arthritis.

Identify the Underlying Cause

• Treating your TMJ pain may depend on the cause of your condition. In many instances, it can be a result of some problem with the cartilage at your joint, the surrounding muscles, nearby ligaments, nearby nerves and ligaments and sometimes problems with your teeth.

  Other potential contributors to your TMJ pain include poor posture (which can strain your facial muscles), stress, lack of sleep and a poor diet. The exact cause cannot always be pinpointed; however, when it is, treating the underlying problem will help to alleviate your condition.

General Treatment Options

• The first step in TMJ treatment often involves several simple therapies. Your doctor or dentist may refer you to a physical therapist, who might help you with specific exercises that may help you to massage, stretch and relax your muscles that surround the jaw.

  Avoid the actions which trigger your pain can help to alleviate it. This means avoiding chewing gum and sticking with a diet of soft foods like yogurt, eggs or oatmeal to give your jaw muscles a rest.

  Apply cold packs or moist heat to your face. This can help reduce internal inflammation and relax your muscles.

  Investigate techniques to reduce your stress levels. This may include exercising regularly, facial massage, yoga or meditation. This, in turn will help to relax some of the muscles that you may be involuntarily clenching.

  Some medications can help to alleviate pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen are generally helpful and a good place to start. If these are not effective, your doctor may prescribe another NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), a muscle relaxant, pain medication or an antidepressant. Occasionally, doctors may administer an injection of a corticosteroid directly into the joint to help alleviate inflammation.

  Use of mouth guards (also commonly called splints) has existed since the 1930s to help alleviate clenching or grinding of teeth. A large number of TMJ patients have found the mouth guard to be helpful; however, many patients report that they become less effective over time. Other TMJ patients experience increased pain while wearing the mouth guard.

  According to the Kimble Back & Neck Pain Relief Center, another option also exists. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have approved a non-thermal laser called the Micro-Light Cold Laser (ML830) for use in the management of TMJ pain. It is a non-invasive option to help promote healing and alleviate pain.