10 Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain Relief That Work

TMJ or temporomandibular joint is a condition that the upper and lower jaw joints are no longer function properly. This is one of the most complex joints of the body. It is responsible for carrying the lower jaw forward, back and forth. Any malfunction that makes this complex system (muscles, ligaments, joints, and bones) inoperable is called the temporomandibular joint. People with TMJ feel some sound in their joints or even stuck in jaw movement. It is still not possible to determine the exact cause of this claim.

TMJ has many signs and symptoms like many other diseases so it is difficult to recognize and diagnose diseases. This is a non-fatal disease but it affects the body, causing discomfort in daily activities when eating, chewing, swallowing, facial expressions, and even when breathing. This disease when chronic can lead to joint discomfort, pain, and stiffness. However, don’t worry, the following article will provide you some home remedies for this disease. These remedies are very simple and effective. They can be done right at your home. However, before that, let’s learn some basic information about this disease to get the best view on it and also help you determine the condition of your TMJ to have the most appropriate treatment.

What Is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the non-working properly condition of the joint which is on the two sides of the head, in front of the ear, where the jawbone meets the skull. This joint allows you to talk, chew and yawn. This is one of the most complex joints of the body. TMJ or temporomandibular joint is a condition that the upper and lower jaw joints are no longer function properly. In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can be mitigated with self-management or medical care. TMJ has many signs and symptoms like many other diseases so it is difficult to recognize and diagnose diseases. Severe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may need to be treated by dental or surgical intervention.

What Are Common Cause Of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

The parts of the bone interacting in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small absorption disk, keeping the movements smooth.

There are many main cause of TMJ, including the following:

• The joint disk is reduced or moved in its proper alignment.
• Cartilage of the joints is damaged by arthritis.
• Joint injury by another blow or impact.
• The muscles of the joint are fatigued by overwork, which can occur if the patients often grind teeth together.
• Teeth grinding is believed to be the main cause for TMJ.When you grind your teeth, the jaw muscle will have to work very fast causing hurt to jaw muscle.

In many cases, however, the cause of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ) is unclear.

What Are Common Symptoms Of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

There are many common symptoms of TMJ, including the following:

• Pain in the cheek: One of the first signs of TMJ is that you feel the pain in the cheeks or cheeks is swollen. You may feel muscle aches, or painful cramps in the muscles of your cheeks, especially towards the ears.
• Stress and headaches: If you experience frequent stress, discomfort and frequent headaches, these symptoms may be associated with TMJ.
• Feeling the sound of the jaw joint: When you gently move the lower jaw from left to right and vice versa or even when you chew, yawn to sleep … you feel the sound of the jaw moving very clearly. It is the manifestation of TMJ.
• Pain and stretch jaw muscle: If you feel sore muscles and stretch muscle when you open your mouth, this is the most obvious sign of temporomandibular joint disease and this symptom is already severe.

Other symptoms include dizziness, facial pain, feeling pain in the ear, swelling of the face and pain around the jaw, neck, ears, and shoulders.

Who Is At High Risk Of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?

All people with jaw joint disease, jaw surgery, and those with stress job are prone to TMJ.The most common temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurs in women between the ages of 30 and 50.You can limit your chances by reducing risk factors. Please consult your doctor for more details about your case.

When To See A Doctor?

You should see your doctor if you have persistent or painful pain in the temporomandibular joint or if you cannot open or close the jaw completely. Doctors, dentists or specialists can discuss possible causes and treat problems.

There, you have discovered some information about TMJ. To overcome this condition, many people come to see a doctor. However, if you want to prevent this disease, or your condition is not too severe, you can fully apply the home remedies for TMJ we will mention below. With these home remedies, you can do them at home. This is not time consuming but very effective. Take a look at TrueRemedies.com!

Top 18 Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain Relief

1. Home Remedies For TMJ – Physical Activity

This is the first remedy in list of 18 natural home remedies for TMJ. Exercise can reduce some symptoms of the TMJ by reducing stress, helping you lose weight, and increasing blood flow ^{[1] [2]}. There are some methods that you can apply for TMJ treatment as following:

Method 1: Muscle Relaxation Exercise – Jaw Lift

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Put your hand against your chin to block the force of the lower jaw
• Slowly open mouth to the max (no exertion)
• Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly shut your mouth
• Repeat 5 times.

You should do this exercise at your free time to get the expected results.

Method 2: Muscle Relaxation Exercise – Put The Jaw To The Sides

To relieve symptoms of TMJ, follow these steps below:

• Put your left hand on the left side to prevent left lower jaw.
• Put the lower jaw to the left as far as you can (no exertion)
• Hold for 5 seconds, then bring the lower jaw back to its normal position.
• Do the same for the above steps with the right side.
• Repeat 5 times. Break 30 seconds for each time.

You should do this method whenever you have free time.

Method 3: Active Joints Exercise In The Interest Position

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Shut your mouth and teeth on each jaw touch lightly.
• Make your tongue touch the inside of the upper incisor
• Bring the tip of the tongue to the soft tongue (above the upper jaw) and keep the tongue in this position.
• Move your lower jaw down slowly so that your lips are still touching, while the tongue touches the soft tongue.
• Hold for 5 seconds, then slowly shut your mouth

Repeat this method for 5 minutes, twice a day (morning after waking up and evening before going to bed).

Method 4: Home Remedies For TMJ By Practicing Jaw Fold Exercise

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Put your shoulders back and chest straight up
• Put your chin straight up then down to the neck, forming a double chin
• Hold for three seconds and repeat 10 times

Method 5: Relax The Combined Muscles

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Deep breathe. To practice deep breathing, sit comfortably with your feet flat on the floor. Breathe through the nose and abdomen and allow the mouth to widen when inhaled, and then exhale through the mouth, gently pushing hands into the abdomen.
• Relaxing muscles. This involves relaxing a variety of muscles. First stretch a muscle group, such as a leg or arm, by tightening the muscles and then relaxing them. Then do it with other muscle groups.
• Imagine that you are lying on the beach. Beautiful blue sky picture, salty smell, hear the sound of waves, and feel the warm wind on the skin. Your brain will get when experiencing the sensations, helping to relax.
• Breathe slowly, relax and slowly open your mouth (no exertion) then place your hands on your lower jaw to help close your mouth.

Method 6: Home Remedies For TMJ Using Massage Exercises

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Use the index finger or the thumb to move to the position of the temples.
• Rub from the temporal lobe down to the outside of the ear and rub it under the chin.
• You can carry out this method by hand only or may be combined with other drugs during the massage. This method works to increase blood circulation, reduce swelling, relieve pain and bring comfort.

Method 7: Stretching Face Exercises

Stretching face exercise is a very good method for TMJ treatment. It helps jaw stretching, helps jaw muscle get less pressure from the outside, which can restore and elastic better.

To implement this method, please follow these steps below:

• Place the index finger at the top of the eye, the thumb at the edge of the mouth.
• Slowly stretch the facial muscles (not exertion) so that the facial muscles are pulled out to the maximum.
• Then slowly open your mouth. Hold for 30 seconds and slowly close your mouth.

Note that:

You can do this method when you have free time. After each method, you should take a break from 4 to 5 minutes so that the jaw muscle can be recovered. During the exercise, you must pay particular attention to your breathing and relaxation. Breathe well, rhythmically and relax muscles.

2. Cashew

Cashew nuts are rich in minerals like copper, magnesium and contain more monounsaturated fats so it is good for your heart.The magnesium-rich nature of cashew nuts makes it a very good treatment for TMJ. Magnesium along with calcium works to build healthy muscles and build bones in your body. It also helps to prevent the attacks of asthma and provides for quiet sleep for menopausal women.In addition, the copper in cashews is also essential for the function of the enzyme involved in the collagen and elastin connections, which help the bones and joints to be flexible and healthy.

To implement this remedy, please follow these steps below:

• Prepare cashew which is washed and drained
• Prepare a fire and then put cashew into the fire to bake directly
• After the cashew nuts turn black, you can take the nuts from the fire, wait a few minutes to cool. Lightly shake the shells to break out and take the cashew inside

Each time you should eat 5-6 nuts for TMJ treatment, 2-3 times a week. Pregnant women under 3 months are advised not to eat cashew nuts.

3. Home Remedies For TMJ – Walnuts

Like cashew, walnuts work to cure TMJ very effectively by its nutrients. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. These substances are good for heart and blood function, which makes blood circulation better, and has the analgesic effect. In addition, walnuts have a lot of magnesium, which is good for TMJ treatment. The way to use this remedy is very simple, you only need to eat 3-4 walnuts a day as a good treatment of TMJ.

4. Apply Warm Or Cold Therapy

This is the next simple but effective option among natural home remedies for TMJ pain treatment introduced here. The remedy of applying warm or cold application is a physical therapy that helps you reduce the symptoms of TMJ. This method is usually used with warm application. If it does not work, switch to a cold gauze.

To implement this remedy, follow these steps below:

• Place towels under warm or hot water.
• Squeeze the towel to release water. Wait for the towel reduce temperature until its temperature is comfortable without burning the skin.
• Apply the towel to the jaw area. Apply heat for 5 minutes and repeat several times a day.

If the heat is not effective, use cold application by using ice bags. You should apply the cold method for 20 minutes, then rest for 20 minutes. Be sure to wear a thin T-shirt or a thin cloth to cover the ice bag to prevent skin damage.You can also use cool and warm method alternately to get the maximum benefit. Apply hot application for 5 minutes, then apply cold applicationfor 5 minutes.

5. TMJ Treatment Due To Multiple Teeth Grinding

If you determine the cause of your TMJ is due to teeth grinding, here are some ways to get rid of TMJ symptoms:

Method 1: Home Remedies For TMJ Using Dental Treatment

If the grinding disease takes a long time to cause serious jaw pain, you can ask your dentist to advise you on methods to prevent gingivitis, or at least reduce the impact of dental grinding.

To implement this method as one of home remedies for TMJ, you can follow these steps below:

• Use a mouth guard. This tool is especially useful if you grind your teeth at night. The jaw guard designed to prevent teeth grinding can separate the upper and lower jaw, helping to relieve pain and damage caused by grinding teeth.
• Adjusted teeth deviated. In cases of severe grinding, your doctor may recommend that you wear orthodontic.

Method 2: Treatment Of Underlying Causes Of Dental Grinding.

If angry or grievances causing serious jaw pain, you may need to think about dealing with emotional and behavioral causes.

• Use stress management exercises such as meditation or strict exercise regimen. Use therapies to treat problems such as anxiety, anger, or stress.
• In severe cases, your doctor may recommend medications. Grinding is usually not treated with medicine, but some prescription medications such as muscle relaxants can help relieve tension and relieve pain.

Method 3: Home Remedies For TMJ By Applying Lifestyle Change

Some lifestyle changes can help reduce grinding and prevent jaw pain if the cause of grinding is related to stress or anxiety. Carry out some tips below:

• Try to control stress. Find out what can help you calm down, whether it's soft music, intense exercise or a soak in the bathtub. Practice stress relieving daily, especially before going to bed.
• Change diet: Avoid hard foods and foods that need to open your mouth, including nuts, hard candy, hard baked foods, fruits and vegetables that are as big as whole apples, raw carrots… You should also avoid chewing gum and candy.
• Change sleep style. If you usually lie on one side while you sleep and have jaw pain, you may need to lie on your back to relieve pressure on the jaw.
• Avoid caffeine and stimulants. Try drinking decaffeinated coffee or tea, or herbal tea to relax in the evening. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in the evening for a better night and less grinding teeth.

6. TMJ Treatment Due To Osteoarthritis 

This form of arthritis can be very painful, especially when the jaw starts moving together.

To implement this remedy, please follow these instructions below:

• Wear mouth guard or jaw guard. TMJ inflammatory patients can wear these tools all day and night to relieve pain and discomfort.
• Apply warm gauze for 20 minutes, then remove the gauze and exercise the jaw by opening the jaw and holding the jaw, then move it to the sides.
• Eat soft foods. Avoid hard or crispy foods.
• Try taking nonprescription over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen to relieve pain and inflammation

7. Home Remedies For TMJ – TMJ Treatment Due To Injury

You can apply the following therapies to relieve arthritic pain associated with TMJ by the following:

• Use steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to treat TMJ symptoms due to traumatic injury.
• Eat soft foods to avoid jaw movement.
• Apply warm gauze. Apply for 20 minutes, then remove the gauze and exercise the jaw by opening the jaw and holding the jaw, then move to the sides. Repeat this method 3 to 5 times daily.
• Try wearing a mouth guard. This tool can help some patients reduce pain or reduce feelings of discomfort.

8. TMJ Treatment Due To Rheumatism

TMJ treatment due to rheumatism is similar to arthritis in other joints. Common therapies include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Exercises for the jaw to maintain the range of motion with minimal pain.
• Cold gauze can help relieve pain and inflammation. Apply cold gauze to the jaw area for 20 minutes and rest for 20 minutes.

9. Using Medications

The next home remedy when it comes to natural home remedies for TMJ treatment is medication. Analgesics can be used to relieve pain and inflammation in all forms of TMJ inflammation.

To implement this remedy as a treatment for TMJ, please follow the instructions below

• Over-the-counter pain relievers can help relieve the pain associated with temporal arthritis.
• You can take muscle relaxants for a short time (a few days) to ease the pain and make the jaw easier to move.
• Use sedatives to help you sleep better at night if the pain makes you unable to sleep.

10. Other Home Remedies For TMJ

In addition, you can also apply some home remedies for TMJ below to accelerate the healing process. They are very easy but effective to do at home:

• Brush your teeth with a saline solution or a little toothpaste ^[3].
• Regular training of jaw muscles can help prevent jaw pain.
• Gently pressing the jaw muscles can help temporarily relieve pain.
• Keep the water with a lemon juice in the mouth of about 30 seconds also helps to relieve pain.
• Mix the three parts of water with one part of salted water. Use the mixture to rinse mouth for 30 to 45 seconds. Spit out and rinse your mouth with clean and cold water.
• Increase the amount of soft foods in your diet and always remember to chew slowly.

The above-mentioned home remedies for TMJ are claimed to be able to reduce its symptoms naturally. Although the home remedies are rather time consuming and slow-acting, their results are surprising. Choose some of them and alternate them in your treating to see how effective they are. If you have any contributing ideas about our article of “Top 18 Natural Home Remedies For TMJ Pain Relief” introduced in Home Remedies Category, do not hesitate to drop your words below this post. We will answer as soon as we could.

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