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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffBecoming more aware of tension-related habits — clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth or chewing pencils — will help you reduce their frequency. The following tips may help you alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorders.
Avoid overuse of jaw muscles
To minimize the use of jaw muscles:
- Eat soft foods
- Cut food into small pieces
- Avoid sticky or chewy food
- Avoid chewing gum
- Don't open your mouth too wide during yawns
Stretching and massage
Your doctor or dentist may show you how to do exercises that stretch your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles yourself. He or she may also show you exercises to improve your head, neck and shoulder posture.
Heat or cold
Applying warm, moist heat or ice to the side of your face may help relax your muscles or alleviate pain.
- TMJ disorders. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/topics/tmj/tmjdisorders.htm. Accessed April 1, 2010.
- TMJ. American Academy of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tmj.cfm. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Laskin DM. Temporomandibular joint disorders. In: Cummings CW, et al. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2005. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192497386-8/977005653/1263/625.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01985-4..50071-X_2752. Accessed April 1, 2010.
- Sheon RP. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 5, 2010.
- Zuzek RW, et al. Temporomandibular joint syndrome. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/193390682-3/0/2088/643.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00029-0--sc0035_13145. Accessed April 6, 2010.
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