TMJ can lead to intense headaches and soreness in the face, neck, and shoulder areas.Frequent headaches, persistent jaw clicking or popping, and pain in the face, neck, or shoulders might indicate a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint responsible for jaw movement.
The American Dental Association estimates that as many as ten million Americans may have what's known in dental circles as TMJ Disorder, or Dysfunction (TMJD), or TMJ Syndrome (TMJS). Unfortunately, it's a condition that often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed and untreated.
Five pairs of muscles and the temporomandibular joints that connect the upper and lower jaws allow you to open and close your mouth and control the forward, backward, and side-to-side movements of the lower jaw. Any problem that prevents this complex system of muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints from working together may result in the pain and other problems known as TMJD.
The jaw joints can become misaligned from a variety of causes -- teeth that don't fit together properly due to genetics, orthodontia, or grinding (bruxism); habits such as cradling the phone between the ear and shoulder; or injuries such as whiplash or a blow to the jaw. Stress plays a major role, too, and people often experience their first TMJ discomfort during stressful times.
Not everyone who has misaligned jaw joints experiences severe symptoms. In some cases, conservative home care can alleviate pain and discomfort. In others, professional help is important.
Is It TMJ Disorder?
One unfortunate aspect of TMJD is that it's difficult to diagnose. If you answer yes to more than one or two of the following questions, you may indeed want to further pursue the possibility that TMJD is the cause of your symptoms by consulting a TMJ specialist (see "Find a TMJ Pro" on the next page):
Do you have frequent headaches, especially in the morning?
Do you clench or grind your teeth?
Have you noticed any teeth, especially the eye teeth, wearing down?
Do your jaw muscles feel tender?
Does your jaw make popping or clicking sounds when you open your mouth?
Do you have difficulty opening your mouth?
Do you have facial pain? Neck pain? Pain in more than one tooth? Shoulder pain?
Is it painful to chew, yawn, or open your mouth widely?
Does your jaw ever get stuck open or closed?
Do you have pain in or around the ear?
Do your ears feel stuffy or itchy?
Do you suffer from earaches without ear infections?
Do you have ringing, roaring, hissing, or buzzing in the ears?
Do you often feel dizzy?
The next page is filled with home remedies for coping with your TMJ problem. If the conservative treatments described in this article don't give you relief, seek help from a dentist, preferably one who is a TMJ specialist.
For more information about TMJ and how to combat it, try the following links:
To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
Headaches can affect anyone, so read about Home Remedies for Headaches.
Sinus problems are worse than headaches, but still commonplace. Click here for Home Remedies for Sinusitis.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
Natural Remedies for Alleviating TMJ Pain
Before visiting the dentist, consider trying these at-home remedies. They might help alleviate your jaw pain. However, if the discomfort persists, don't hesitate to seek professional advice.
Massage your jaw. Pain can result from muscle spasms. Gently massaging the jaw joints, which are located just in front of the ears, can help to loosen tight muscles.
Use heat therapy. Heat is a natural muscle relaxant. Apply a heating pad or hot-water bottle to soothe aching muscles in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Just be sure to keep the heat at a safe level to avoid skin burns.
Use cold therapy. Ice packs on the jaw joints can effectively reduce pain. Alternating between heat and cold treatments may also help—apply heat for 20 minutes, followed by cold for 5-10 minutes, and repeat until you feel relief.
Reduce inflammation and muscle discomfort by using an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
Use over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. OTC options like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen can alleviate muscle pain. Both aspirin and ibuprofen can also reduce any inflammation that may be present. For a list of precautions when using OTC painkillers, click here.
Break bad habits. Identify and avoid actions—such as resting your head on your hand, cradling the phone between your shoulder and cheek, or grinding your teeth—that put stress on the jaw joint. If you're working at a desk, sit up straight with proper support, and adjust your work surface to avoid slouching. Consider using a headset or speakerphone if you need both hands while talking. Additionally, if you often clench your teeth unconsciously while reading or working, try gently holding a cork between your teeth to keep your jaw relaxed.
Relax. Stress is a major factor contributing to TMJ problems. Practicing relaxation methods such as deep breathing, yoga, or progressive relaxation (where you consciously relax your muscles starting from the head down to the feet) can be beneficial. Engaging in hobbies or regular exercise can also help reduce stress.
You can also try visualization exercises to release stress. Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit undisturbed. Close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and picture yourself in one of your favorite places—perhaps a beach, a mountain meadow, or a country lane. Imagine the sights, sounds, and smells as if you were truly there. Feel yourself relaxing in this peaceful space. After several minutes, take a few more deep breaths and slowly open your eyes. This "mental vacation" can leave you feeling surprisingly calm and rejuvenated.
Find a TMJ Pro
If you suspect or have been told that you have TMJD and self-care hasn't relieved your symptoms, you need professional help. A dentist may need to create a special mouthpiece, or "splint," to help the muscles relax, especially at night. The jaw may need to be permanently realigned through subtle shaping of the tooth surface (equilibration), moving teeth (orthodontics), or moving bony structures (orthopedics). In a few cases, surgery is even required. That's why it's best to find a dentist who has extensive training and/or experience in the treatment of TMJ problems. Successful treatment may also require the services of an orthopedist; a neurologist; an ear, nose, and throat specialist; and a physical therapist or chiropractor. And if you're struggling with reducing or coping better with stress, you might benefit from a visit with a mental-health professional. Look for professionals with whom you feel comfortable and who will take the time to explain things to you. You can ask for a referral from your regular dentist, contact your local dental association, or check the yellow pages to locate a TMJ specialist. Then use the following questions to help evaluate candidates and ensure that you get the expert care you need:
What is your experience in treating TMJD?
What special training have you received in treating TMJD?
How many TMJD patients have you treated? What is your success rate?
How long does treatment usually last? How much does it cost?
How do you feel about a team treatment approach? What specialists do you typically use?
What’s the key takeaway for relieving TMJ pain? Find a home remedy that helps you relax and make it a regular part of your routine.
For more insights on TMJ and ways to manage it, explore the following links:
To explore all of our home remedies and the conditions they address, visit our main Home Remedies page.
Headaches affect many people; check out Home Remedies for Headaches for relief.
Sinus issues can be worse than headaches but are still quite common. Find solutions in Home Remedies for Sinusitis.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. Gower, who has authored four books, is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her articles have been featured in Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She has co-authored three books on women’s health. Linnea Lundgren has over 12 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of four books, including Living Well With Allergies.Michele Price Mann is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in Weight Watchers and Southern Living. Formerly the assistant health and fitness editor at Cooking Light magazine, her passion lies in learning about and writing on health topics.ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:Dr. Ivan Oransky is the deputy editor at The Scientist. He has authored or co-authored four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide, and his work has appeared in major publications such as the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and USA Today. He is also a clinical assistant professor of medicine and an adjunct professor of journalism at New York University. Dr. David J. Hufford serves as the university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also holds professorships in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford is a member of the editorial boards for several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., nor the author or publisher assume any responsibility for any consequences that may arise from following the information shared here. The publication of this content does not replace professional medical advice, and readers should always consult their physician or healthcare provider before proceeding with any treatment, procedure, dietary changes, or medication.
2
Mytour's content is for customer care and travel encouragement only, and we are not responsible.
For errors or inappropriate content, please contact us at: [email protected]
Internal information website
VNTRAVEL VIET NAM TOURISM JOINT STOCK COMPANYAddress: 20th Floor, Tower A, HUD Tower, 37 Le Van Luong Street, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, VietnamResponsible for content management: Zalo: 0978812412 - Email: [email protected]
Buzz
TMJ can lead to intense headaches and soreness in the face, neck, and shoulder areas.Frequent headaches, persistent jaw clicking or popping, and pain in the face, neck, or shoulders might indicate a misalignment of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint responsible for jaw movement.
Reduce inflammation and muscle discomfort by using an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.
