We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. You may not think about your temporomandibular joints TMJ much, but you use them a lot.
The joints connect your jawbone to your skull. Your TMJ springs into action each time you talk, chew, and swallow. TMJ disorders occur when something goes wrong with your jaw joints and jaw muscles. Oftentimes, this happens because of a jaw injury , inflammation such as with arthritis , or overuse.
According to one study published in the Journal of Dental Research, performing TMJ exercises increases mouth opening range more than using a mouth guard in people with TMJ disc displacement. For some exercises, there are frequency recommendations. Rest your tongue gently on the top of your mouth behind your upper front teeth. Allow your teeth to come apart while relaxing your jaw muscles.
Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and one finger in front of your ear where your TMJ is located. Put your middle or pointer finger on your chin. Drop your lower jaw halfway and then close. There should be mild resistance but not pain. A variation of this exercise is to place one finger on each TMJ as you drop your lower jaw halfway and closed again. Do this exercise six times in one set. You should do one set six times daily. Keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth, place one finger on your TMJ and another finger on your chin.
Drop your lower jaw completely and back. For a variation of this exercise, place one finger on each TMJ as you completely drop your lower jaw and back.
Do this exercise six times to complete one set. You should complete one set six times daily. Place your thumb under your chin.
Open your mouth slowly, pushing gently against your chin for resistance. Hold for three to six seconds, and then close your mouth slowly. Squeeze your chin with your index and thumb with one hand. Triazolam Halcion. Improved sleep function, but no statistically significant reduction in symptoms. Intra-articular injection e. Injection of 0. Limited evidence of improved joint function and reduction in pain; should be reserved for severe cases because of reports of articular cartilage destruction.
Limited evidence; should be reserved for patients with severe joint inflammation associated with autoimmune syndromes. Systematic review of seven RCTs Celecoxib Celebrex. No statistically significant reduction in pain; combination of ibuprofen and diazepam was more effective than placebo. Naproxen Naprosyn. Piroxicam Feldene. Information from references 38 through Medications that have limited or no effectiveness for the treatment of TMD include tramadol Ultram , topical medications e.
There has been a limited number of studies investigating the effectiveness of onabotulinumtoxinA Botox in the management of TMD. The use of occlusal splints is thought to alleviate or prevent degenerative forces placed on the TMJ, articular disk, and dentition. Systematic reviews have shown conflicting results on the preferred occlusal device for relieving TMD symptoms. Occlusal adjustments i.
Referral to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is recommended if the patient has a history of trauma or fracture to the TMJ complex, severe pain and dysfunction from internal derangement that does not respond to conservative measures, or pain with no identifiable source that persists for more than three to six months.
Although invasive, surgical treatments have shown benefit in alleviating TMD symptoms and increasing joint mobility. Data Sources : An OvidSP search was completed using the key terms temporomandibular joint disorders, temporomandibular disorders, headache, diagnosis, acupuncture, treatment, occlusal splints, occlusal adjustment, pharmacotherapy, randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis, botulinum toxin, differential diagnosis, biofeedback, cognitive behavior therapy, physical therapy, and classification.
Search dates: December 22, ; April 8, ; and November 6, The authors thank Katrease Gauer for her assistance with the manuscript. The opinions and assertions contained herein are the private views of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as reflecting the views of the Medical Department of the U. Army or the U. Army Service at large. Already a member or subscriber?
Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. Address correspondence to Robert L. Reprints are not available from the authors. Temporomandibular disorders. N Engl J Med. Temporomandibular disorders are differentially associated with headache diagnoses: a controlled study. Clin J Pain. Development of temporomandibular disorders is associated with greater bodily pain experience.
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Rosted P. Practical recommendations for the use of acupuncture in the treatment of temporomandibular disorders based on the outcome of published controlled studies. Oral Dis. Acupuncture for temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review. Acupuncture in the treatment of pain in temporomandibular disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
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Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. Singer E, Dionne R. A controlled evaluation of ibuprofen and diazepam for chronic orofacial muscle pain. Triazolam improves sleep but fails to alter pain in TMD patients. Intra-articular injections with corticosteroids and sodium hyaluronate for treating temporomandibular joint disorders: a systematic review.
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Piroxicam, diazepam and placebo in the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This puts enough rest on the temporomandibular joint and helps it recover without much hindrance.
Once the pain subsides, do not stop using the splints immediately. Use it for two or three more days to help the joint completely recover. To prevent tension on the recovered joint, live on a soft diet for a few more days before returning to your regular routines! Physical therapy involves appropriate exercises for the joint.
Exercises like chin tucks, tongue up, forward jaw movement and resisted closing are few of the exercises that help immensely. To know which exercises are best for TMJ pain relief, read this article by Healthline. As per a study conducted by Haketa et al. Apart from this, acupuncture and other massage forms are also effective in curing TMJ disorders.
It is advised that you consult with a physiotherapist before you try any of the mentioned exercises. Remember that doing them wrong would only make matters worse, and this is why you need professional supervision. This is the last resort, which is not recommended by many medical experts either. The surgery for TMJ is called arthroscopy and involves positioning the TMJ properly and performing any other activity that would eliminate any underlying internal problem with the joint.
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