Struggling with TMJ pain can really take a damper on your life. Fortunately, there are lots of treatments out there to help you relieve your pain. If you want to try some natural TMJ pain remedies on their own or in combination with the TMJ treatment we offer at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics, these natural remedies pose no risk and can potentially provide you with pain relief from jaw pain and headaches.

woman enjoys some healthy meal at home

Eat Soft Foods

One of the best ways to start finding relief from TMJ pain is by simply just eating softer foods. When you eat softer foods, your jaw doesn’t have to chew as much. When you chew less, your jaw experiences less pressure and less stress and therefore gives it a break to allow the inflammation to go down. Try to stick with a soft diet for several weeks to see if it helps relieve any of your symptoms.

Learn Stress Management

One of the top causes of TMJ is actually stress. When people feel stressed out, they tend to clench up their jaw throughout the day without noticing it. If you feel stressed, do yourself a favor and take a daily walk to clear your head, journal about your problems, talk to a therapist, do yoga, meditate, or take a bubble bath. Do whatever you can to unwind and experience some stress relief.

Wear a Bite Guard

Wearing a bite guard is an easy way to relieve pressure from your TMJ joint when you clench or grind your teeth. You wear a bite guard on your top and bottom teeth and they work by preventing your teeth from touching. Our dentists will let you know if a bite guard is the right treatment option for you.

Limit Jaw Movements

If you find yourself yawning, singing at the top of your lungs, or yelling quite often, this can cause strain on your jaw. Try to limit any extreme jaw movements in your life to give your TMJ joint a break from movement. This can help relieve some of your pain.

Try Acupuncture or Massage Therapy

Acupuncture can provide relief to TMJ pain too. An acupuncturist will insert needles in areas around your jaw as well as other areas to ease your pain and even provide you with improved jaw function and make it easier to open your mouth. Massaging your TMJ joint throughout the day can also help loosen up your muscles around the jaw and provide you with pain relief.

Use Heat or Cold Therapy

In addition to the above tips, you can also switch between hot and cold therapy on your jaw. Apply a moist heat pack to your jaw for 15 minutes or use an ice pack for 15 minutes a few times per day. You can even switch between hot and cold for the best results.

If natural remedies don’t help you find relief, our Spokane Valley TMJ dentists at Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics can help you treat pain for good using one of our available treatments. Schedule an appointment at our Spokane dental office by calling (509) 927-2273 today.