Living with a TMJ Disorder: Tips to Help Manage Symptoms

Living with a TMJ disorder can be difficult and uncomfortable. Symptoms of TMJ disorder can range from jaw pain to headaches, and even difficulty in opening the mouth. To help manage these symptoms, there are a few tips that may help.

1. Avoid extreme jaw movements: If you have TMJ disorder, it is important to avoid extreme jaw movements such as wide yawning or gum chewing. These activities can cause further irritation or damage to the joint and should be avoided as much as possible.

2. Use Heat Therapy: Applying heat to the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain associated with TMJ disorder. Heat therapy can be done by using a hot water bottle or heating pad placed on the affected area for 15 minutes at a time several times a day until symptoms improve.

3. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Stress is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorder flare ups so it’s important to practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, visualization, yoga, and meditation in order to reduce stress levels and manage symptoms more effectively.

4. Eat Soft Foods: Eating soft foods such as soups, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, applesauce and other soft fruits/veggies will put less strain on your jaw muscles when chewing which will help alleviate pain associated with TMJ disorder flare ups.

5 . Wear an Oral Splint at Night: Wearing an oral splint while sleeping at night helps keep your teeth from grinding against each other which is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorders flare ups during sleep time hours . It also helps keep your lower jaw in its proper position which helps prevent further irritation or damage to the joint due to improper alignment while sleeping .

By following these tips you may find some relief from your symptoms associated with living with a TMJ Disorder!

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TMJ disorder, jaw pain, headaches, extreme jaw movements, heat therapy, relaxation techniques, soft foods, oral splint,

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