Discover How to Effectively Manage TMJ Disorder

TMJ or temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull on the side of the head. People with TMJ disorder are encountering dysfunction around the jaw joint and muscles making jaw movement painful and difficult. Suffering from this disorder can be very disturbing and you have to know how to manage TMJ disorder.

The symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder can be very distressing and can affect the quality of your life. Symptoms include jaw pain, stiffness or locking of jaw, facial pain, headache, ear pain and difficulty to open and close the mouth. You may need to visit an ENT doctor, a dentist or a general health provider to address your symptoms. While it is recommended to visit a doctor it is also important to learn how to manage TMJ disorder. Here are some tips:

Avoid worsening your condition. To properly manage TMJ disorder, TMJ self-care practices is important. Give your jaw some rest and avoid too much jaw and mouth activity. Avoid big bites, chewing gums and hard-to-chew foods. Eat soft foods or cut foods into small bites to avoid aggravating your condition.

Pain medication. Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help to temporarily ease the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder. It is important to understand that prolonged use of pain medication can cause side effects. It is best to ask your doctor if pain relievers are not effective. Different people have different response to medications.

Cold or warm compress. You can manage TMJ diosrder with simple warm or cold compress for the immediate relief of TMJ pain. You may choose to apply either a moist heat or ice pack on the affected area to improve blood flow and to get rid of the pain.

Jaw exercises and therapy. Your therapist or health provider can help you with an exercise program to improve your jaw movement and to alleviate the pain. It is important to learn to manage TMJ disorder using simple jaw relaxation exercises and stretching with the help of your doctor or therapist.

The pain and discomforts of TMJ may last for months and it can become a chronic problem.