Find out the 10 Best Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain inside this article so you can find a home remedy that suits you the best to help alleviate your TMJ pain once and for all.
What Is TMJ?
Temporomandibular joints of TMJ muscles are the jaw joints that swing into action every time you talk, smile, or chew. We don’t often think that our jaw muscles can be a source of pain because they are meant for endlessly gossiping, chewing, smiling, and eating delicious foods. Surprisingly, around 10 million people experience TMJ symptoms regularly.
If you’re someone who thinks that they might have TMJ pain, then you definitely want to know how to get rid of this excruciating pain permanently. We are happy to announce that a few home remedies and exercises can effectively manage the soreness and discomfort caused by TMJ pain. TMJ can result from too much chewing or an underlying medical issue like arthritis. You can find many natural ways to effectively relieve the pain and discomfort of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joints).
In this article, we will cover TMJ disorder, its symptoms, causes, and ten natural home remedies for TMJ pain.
TMJ Joints and TMJ Disorders
TMJ is a temporomandibular joint of your jaw located at the base of the skull and responsible for smiling, chewing, and talking. The TMJ joint connects the lower part of the jaw (mandible) with the temporal bones on the sides of the skull. This point is a complex and heavily trafficked point that allows jaw movement from side to side and up and down.
A temporomandibular joint disorder can lead to severe pain and discomfort, making chewing, yawning, and talking a nightmare. This disorder includes many conditions affecting the TMJ joint and can have many possible causes. The TMJ disorder usually refers to the pain in the jaw and the muscles responsible for the movement of your jaws. The TMJ disorder and pain associated with it become more noticeable when you pop, crackle, chew, or click your jaw.
Causes of TMJ Pain
Several factors can cause TMJ pain, including;
- An injury to the jaw muscles
- Infections
- Misalignment of the jaw
- Autoimmune disorders
- Medical conditions like arthritis
Symptoms of TMJ Pain
The TMJ joint plays a vital role and connects very sensitive parts of the jaw muscles to nerve roots, making TMJ pain symptoms more devastating. The symptoms of TMJ pain can include;
- Facial pain
- Limited jaw movement
- Ringing sound in the ears
- Facial pain
- A clicking, popping or grinding sound from the jaw when moving it
- Back, neck, or ear ache
- Migraines or headaches
- Pain during the movement of the jaw muscle
- Dizziness
- Problems sleeping
- Swelling around the jaw and face
Studies show that about 25% of people with TMJ disorder do not suffer any pain or TMJ symptoms, which leaves the problem unaddressed for years, making it harder to reverse TMJ joint disorder and control the inflammation.
Risk Factors Associated with TMJ Pain
The following risk factors can be associated with TMJ pain:
- Poor posture
- Teeth grinding
- Dental surgery
- Stress that can tighten your facial and jaw muscles
- Excessive chewing
- Use of orthodontic braces
10 Best Natural Home Remedies for TMJ Pain
TMJ pain and discomfort are usually temporary and can be treated with natural home remedies. Below we have given you the best and most effective natural home remedies to effectively relieve TMJ pain.
Hot or Cold Compresses
Cold and hot therapies help to treat musculoskeletal discomfort and pain. Hot therapy is useful to improve blood pressure and blood circulation, whereas cold therapy is used to numb the pain and reduce swelling, muscle spasms, and inflammation. A warm compress can decrease the stiffness of your jaw and provide a soothing distraction from the pain.
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain How To Remedy @ Solution
- Take a cold or hot compress and apply it to your jaw joints.
- Place it to your jaw for about 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the compress and repeat the process a couple of times.
- You can apply this natural treatment 2-3 times daily to the affected area.
Cold and hot compress is a well-proven and old way to treat TMJ pain by increasing the blood circulation to your jaw muscles.
CBD Oil
CBD oil is an effective solution for those suffering from TMJ pain because it can manage the symptom of early-phase inflammation.
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain How To Remedy @ Solution
- Take 1-2 drops of cannabidiol or CBD oil
- In the second step, apply a thin layer of CBD oil to the affected area
- Wait for a while and let the oil be absorbed into your skin
- You can repeat the remedy 1-2 times daily to get better results
Before using this natural remedy for TMJ pain, you might want to consult a doctor for proper guidance.
Lavender Oil
The essential oil called lavender oil is enriched with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help treat TMJ pain effectively. You just need a few drops of lavender oil and 1-2 teaspoons of carrier oil like coconut oil.
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain How-To Remedy @ Solution
- Take 1-2 drops of lavender oil and mix them with one or two teaspoons of coconut or any other carrier oil.
- Apply a thin layer of the blended mixture to the affected area
- Leave it on your jaw for about 20-30 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water
- You can also leave it on your face and let it dry naturally.
- Alternatively, you can use a diffuser to inhale the aroma of lavender oil. It will also help to eliminate the symptoms of TMJ pain and discomfort.
- You can do this treatment 1-2 times daily to get better results.
The anti-inflammatory property of lavender makes it highly effective, and people have been using these essential oils to get pain relief for years.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is highly effective in treating the pain and discomfort due to TMJ. You can use coconut oil for oil pulling due to its natural analgesic properties.
![10 Best Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain [2023] Best Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain](https://jaysonlinereviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/how-to-cure-tmj-pain-naturally-home-doctor.jpg "10 Best Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain [2023] Best Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain")
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain How-To Remedy @ Solution
- Take one tablespoon of cold-pressed coconut oil and swish the oil in your mouth.
- Keep it in your mouth for about 10 minutes, and spit it out.
- To eliminate TMJ pain, you can repeat this process daily, preferably in the morning.
Coconut oil is famous for its natural anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate pain and inflammation associated with TMJ pain.
Mouth Guard
Using an oral splint or mouth guard is a conventional approach to alleviate the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with TMJ dysfunction. It helps to treat TMJ disorder without changing the alignment of your jaw muscles or teeth. A mouth guard tends to hold your jaw muscles accurately and prevent painful pressure. Mouth guards are ideal for avoiding clenching and grinding your teeth together.
Reduce Stress
Stress can be a great way to increase the severity of TMJ pain. It affects your muscles’ tension and the body’s natural healing ability to heal. Reducing stress can help eliminate the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with TMJ pain. You can learn the following techniques to reduce stress;
- Praying
- Meditating
- Stretching
- Exercise
- Guided imagery
- Yoga
- Deep Breathing Techniques
Reducing your stress level also allows you to get much better quality sleep. Getting quality sleep can solve several inflammation issues associated with TMJ pain.
Anti-Inflammatory and Soft Diets
If you are suffering from TMJ disorder, eating anti-inflammatory soft foods can help eliminate the pain and discomfort effectively. Soft, easy-to-chew food can help you reduce jaw swelling and joint deterioration. Eating soft diet foods helps you to reduce the TMJ pain within 5-7 days by reducing the stress between the joint structures. You can eat the following diets to get rid of TMJ pain;
- Omega-3 Foods
Omega-3 foods are very helpful and heart-healthy when treating TMJ pain and discomfort. They are enriched with natural anti-inflammatory properties that can address jaw swelling and inflammation. Omega-3 foods boost blood flow and also reduce inflammation due to TMJ pain.
- Magnesium
TMJ can be a result of spasms in the jaw and muscle tension. Foods high in magnesium can help relax the stressed jaw muscles. You can eat bananas, figs, dark chocolate, avocado, black beans, almonds, yogurt, kefir, pumpkin seeds, spinach, and chard- all are enriched with magnesium and help treat pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder.
You can also eat scrambled eggs, cooked vegetables, well-done pasta, soups, and protein shakes to get collagen that helps rebuild your jaw tissues and treat TMJ disorder.
- Gentle Message
A gentle massage around your jaw joints can help alleviate the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with TMJ pain.
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain Method
- Gently massage your jaw and temple muscles in a circular motion while closing and opening the jaw joints.
- Continue messaging in a circular motion for about 30 seconds
- Repeat the process every four to six hours to get faster results.
Opening and closing jaw joints during the message allows muscle fibers to stretch and relax. It also helps jaw muscles to refrain from tending up easily.
Over-The-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter medications, such as OTC painkillers, are home remedies that can help eliminate TMJ pain if taken every four to six hours. These non-specific medications have an anti-inflammatory effect in reducing the inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with TMJ disorder.
To treat TMJ pain, you can find several over-the-counter creams such as tiger balm, arnica, and capsaicin. You must use these creams outside your mouth about two to three times daily.
TMJ Exercises You Can Do For For Your TMJ Pain
Several TMJ exercises help you to alleviate the TMJ pain and discomfort effectively. They include;
- Wide Stretches
- Mandibular Stabilization Exercises
- Occipital Lifts
- Forward Jaw Movement
- Tongue-To-Roof
- The Side Slide
- Resisted Opening Of The Mouth
- Resisted Closing Of The Mouth
- Chin Tucks
- Goldfish Exercise (Partial and Full Opening)
- Relaxed Jaw Exercise
Additional Tips To Treat TMJ Pain
We hope the TMJ natural home remedies discussed earlier will help you reduce TMJ disorder symptoms. But you can follow these additional tips for TMJ pain relief and avoid this painful disorder in the future.
- Maintain The Resting Position Of Your Jaw Muscles
If you’re in the early ages of TMJ disorder, you can treat it by minimizing your wide jaw movement such as yelling, singing, yawning, and chewing. You’re advised to keep your jaw muscles as relaxed as possible when you notice even minor TMJ disorder symptoms.
- Get Quality Sleep
Getting quality sleep can solve several issues related to TMJ disorder. To alleviate TMJ pain, use pillows to support your neck when sleeping. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and placing your hands on the jaw joints as it increases inflammation and swelling.
- Correct Your Posture
If you’re suffering from TMJ pain and disorder, sitting in an unideal posture can cause you to feel more pain in your jaw joints. Choose a chair with back support, take frequent breaks, set your driving seat in the vertical direction, and place a pillow behind your back for support to correct your posture and eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ.
- Avoiding Bad Habits
You may have a few habits that can cause TMJ pain, such as;
- Grinding your teeth
- Chewing lips
- Nail-biting
- Resting your jaw joints in your hand
- Clenching your teeth
Take note of all the habits mentioned above to avoid the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with TMJ pain.
- Avoid Certain Foods
Some foods can force you to open your mouth forcefully, moving your jaw muscles. It can cause severe TMJ pain and discomfort. Doctors suggest avoiding chewing gum, taking large bites of food, avoiding hard or crunchy foods, and avoiding foods that require prolonged chewing to alleviate TMJ pain.
Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain My Final Words
You make a lot of facial movements such as smiling, laughing, chewing, and talking every day with little to no thought. But if you have the symptoms of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joints) disorder, these facial movements can cause severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, you have several options to treat the symptoms of pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder from the comfort of your home.
We hope the natural home remedies for TMJ pain we discussed in this article will help you to reduce or even eliminate all your TMJ issues now and well into the future.
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