Consistent pain and discomfort in your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause serious long term health effects. Left untreated, this condition can lead to impaired jaw function and even tooth damage. Although it’s difficult to how to cure tmj permanently, effective treatments can significantly improve your quality of life. Medication can help relieve pain, decrease swelling and inflammation, and reduce jaw stiffness and tenderness. Over-the-counter analgesics like ibuprofen and naproxen can be very helpful in relieving TMJ symptoms.
Fortunately, there are many ways to treat TMJ disorder and find permanent relief. Seeking expert assistance, making lifestyle changes and practicing physiotherapy are all essential steps towards curing TMJ permanently.
1. Seek Expert Assistance
The temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone to your skull, is the source of many uncomfortable and painful conditions. TMJ is a complicated issue that can be caused by genetics, arthritis, jaw injuries, teeth grinding, and more. It is important to find an expert who can help you figure out what is causing your TMJ and develop a treatment plan to cure it.
It is best to seek assistance from a health care provider or dentist who specialises in TMJ disorder, as they can provide the proper diagnosis and treatment. They may recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding hard foods and chewing gum, applying moist heat or ice to the area of your jaw, and learning how to relax your muscles. They may also suggest a custom-fitted mouth guard or medication to relieve symptoms.
2. Make Lifestyle Changes
In addition to seeking professional help, patients can use various lifestyle modifications to alleviate TMJ pain and reduce recurrence. These strategies range from stress management techniques and dietary adjustments to yoga and massage therapies. They can also include homeopathic remedies like Arnica for jaw pain relief and Rhus Toxicodendron for joint stiffness.
It’s essential to avoid hard, chewy foods such as nuts, ice, gum, and jellies. It’s also a good idea to avoid smoking and excessive amounts of caffeine. TMJ pain can be exacerbated by poor posture and stress, so regular exercise to promote healthy posture and relaxation can help.
Physiotherapy can significantly improve TMJ symptoms. During physiotherapy sessions, you can receive targeted exercises for the jaw bone and neck muscles to improve mobility and relax tense muscles.
3. Practice Jaw Exercises
A key aspect of TMJ treatment is to practice jaw exercises. These will help align the jaw making it easier to chew without pain or discomfort. These exercises will also help prevent clenching and teeth grinding, which is a common cause of TMJ flare-ups.
Place the pad of your thumb in the corner of your mouth and the index finger of your other hand on the front of your chin where the TMJ is located. Gently apply pressure with the index finger and drop your jaw backwards. Repeat six times and then switch sides.
This is a variation on the partial opening exercise but with more resistance. The idea is to get your jaw working more and increase the range of motion of the joint.
4. Wear a Night Guard
Your temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, connect your lower jaw to your skull and allow you to perform everyday facial functions like chewing and talking. If these joints become misaligned or inflamed, you can suffer from TMJ disorder. Symptoms can include headaches, neck pain, and ringing in the ears.
Many patients who suffer from TMJ can find relief from noninvasive treatments. These may include stress management, oral mouth guards, biofeedback, acupuncture, and physical therapy. These techniques help you address the root cause of your symptoms and improve jaw function.
Dental night guards are custom-fitted to align your jaw while you sleep and take pressure off the joint. This can also alleviate teeth clenching and grinding, which is a common cause of TMJ. Make sure to clean your night guard regularly and store it in a ventilated case to avoid bacterial buildup.
5. Take Medication
Other medications that can ease TMJ symptoms include anti-depressants and anxiety relief. These can help with the stress and tension that leads to clenching and grinding the teeth, which worsens TMJ symptoms.
Other treatment options can involve regenerative medicine, such as PRP, AMPP or BMAC. These methods utilize regenerative cells from your own fat tissue to stimulate healing of the jaw joint. This is a non-invasive procedure that has shown promising results. It’s also less costly than other TMJ treatments.