If you suffer from TMJ, you know just how much pain it can put you in at times. Whether you are trying to eat, smile, talk, or even breath, the pain associated with TMJ can be debilitating. While there can be many causes of TMJ, it is still hard to determine why some people suffer from it while others don’t. Should you be experiencing TMJ pain, the good news is that there are many natural ways to help ease your pain.
If you happen to like eating nuts, cashews and walnuts have been shown to be effective ways of helping ease TMJ pain. Since both contain high amounts of various minerals, especially magnesium, they can have an analgesic effect on your TMJ pain. In addition, their vitamins and minerals also help strengthen muscles and bones, which can help with keeping your jawbone and the surrounding muscles strong and flexible.
If your TMJ is caused by teeth grinding, which happens to be the most common reason for TMJ, you may need to wear a mouth guard when sleeping at night. The guard, which can separate the upper and lower jaw, will eliminate the teeth grinding and allow your jaw to relax. In severe cases of TMJ, you may need to visit a specialist to obtain a mouth guard or other orthodontics that can alleviate your pain.
Since teeth grinding is usually a sign of stress, starting a regular stress management program may help ease your TMJ pain. This can include such things as listening to soft music before bedtime, soaking in a tub of warm water, or even exercising. By doing something that can burn off the stress and tension of the day, you may find your TMJ gradually gets much better.
While most people tend to sleep on their sides at night, this can often be one of the worst things you can do if you have TMJ. If you sleep on the side where you experience your TMJ pain, you are only putting additional pressure on that part of your jaw, exacerbating the problem. Instead, you can change your sleep style by sleeping on your back, which will help to relieve the jaw pressure.
By trying these natural methods and working closely with a doctor or orthodontist, you may be able to finally rid yourself of TMJ and once again be pain-free when eating or talking.
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