There are a variety of TMJ remedies available for people who suffer from nighttime teeth grinding and the damage it can cause. Each case is different, and most people will find that a combination of treatments will help relieve their symptoms. Conventional treatments include physical restraints, drugs, physical therapy and even surgery in extreme cases, while alternative practices like massage therapy and TMJ specific exercises often bring complete relief to patients without the need for costly drugs or surgery.
If you suffer from TMJ, you will want to try out a few of the solutions to find the best way to relieve your pain in the short term, while providing lasting relief from your condition over time.
Mouth Guards: Mouth guards and splints are the first line of defense for those who suffer from TMJ. A mouth guard will immediately prevent further damage to the teeth allowing you time to sort out a treatment that will stop your nighttime teeth grinding.
Aspirin: Moderate anti-inflammatory medicines are sometimes recommended to help TMJ sufferers sleep through the night. Depending on the severity of your situation, you may find that something as simple as an aspirin before bedtime can help relieve your pain in the morning, especially when coupled with a mouth guard.
Muscle Relaxers: As the severity of the TMJ increases, some doctors may want to prescribe muscle relaxers both to reduce the amount of teeth grinding and jaw clenching as well as to reduce pain. If your doctor prescribes muscle relaxers to you for your TMJ, you are already in the danger and need to reduce your symptoms before you do further damage to your body.
Anesthetics: Along with muscle relaxers, anesthetics are used to help severe cases of TMJ. They are often injected near the jaw to help reduce pain. Rather than being TMJ remedies, muscle relaxers, and anesthetics help treat the symptoms of the problem, which gives you the time to begin working towards and actual cure.
Relaxation Exercises: Stress is one of the leading causes of nighttime teeth grinding. To help reduce stress and get a good night's sleep, you should try to eliminate the use of tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol in the evening. A regular routine with a soothing cup of herbal tea and some relaxing exercises or meditation may help you unwind from the day and go to bed stress free.
Massage: Massage therapy works for many TMJ sufferers. A skilled massage therapist can identify and work on trouble sports to help relieve the tension in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders. If you mention the problem, your therapist may be able to demonstrate some self-massage that you can incorporate into your evening routine.
Jaw Strengthening Exercises: Jaw exercise programs are one of the best ways to eliminate the pain and damage of TMJ. TMJ is sometimes caused by one side of the jaw being weaker than the other is which creates stress and pulls the jaw out of alignment. Jaw exercises strengthen and stretch the jaw and help it relax during the night.
There are a variety of TMJ remedies available for people who suffer from nighttime teeth grinding and the damage it can cause. Each case is different, and most people will find that a combination of treatments will help relieve their symptoms. Conventional treatments include physical restraints, drugs, physical therapy and even surgery in extreme cases, while alternative practices like massage therapy and TMJ specific exercises often bring complete relief to patients without the need for costly drugs or surgery.
If you suffer from TMJ, you will want to try out a few of the solutions to find the best way to relieve your pain in the short term, while providing lasting relief from your condition over time.
Mouth Guards: Mouth guards and splints are the first line of defense for those who suffer from TMJ. A mouth guard will immediately prevent further damage to the teeth allowing you time to sort out a treatment that will stop your nighttime teeth grinding.
Aspirin: Moderate anti-inflammatory medicines are sometimes recommended to help TMJ sufferers sleep through the night. Depending on the severity of your situation, you may find that something as simple as an aspirin before bedtime can help relieve your pain in the morning, especially when coupled with a mouth guard.
Muscle Relaxers: As the severity of the TMJ increases, some doctors may want to prescribe muscle relaxers both to reduce the amount of teeth grinding and jaw clenching as well as to reduce pain. If your doctor prescribes muscle relaxers to you for your TMJ, you are already in the danger and need to reduce your symptoms before you do further damage to your body.
Anesthetics: Along with muscle relaxers, anesthetics are used to help severe cases of TMJ. They are often injected near the jaw to help reduce pain. Rather than being TMJ remedies, muscle relaxers, and anesthetics help treat the symptoms of the problem, which gives you the time to begin working towards and actual cure.
Relaxation Exercises: Stress is one of the leading causes of nighttime teeth grinding. To help reduce stress and get a good night's sleep, you should try to eliminate the use of tobacco, caffeine, and alcohol in the evening. A regular routine with a soothing cup of herbal tea and some relaxing exercises or meditation may help you unwind from the day and go to bed stress free.
Massage: Massage therapy works for many TMJ sufferers. A skilled massage therapist can identify and work on trouble sports to help relieve the tension in your face, jaw, neck, and shoulders. If you mention the problem, your therapist may be able to demonstrate some self-massage that you can incorporate into your evening routine.
Jaw Strengthening Exercises: Jaw exercise programs are one of the best ways to eliminate the pain and damage of TMJ. TMJ is sometimes caused by one side of the jaw being weaker than the other is which creates stress and pulls the jaw out of alignment. Jaw exercises strengthen and stretch the jaw and help it relax during the night.