Any good home remedies for TMJ?

[DaniJ]

I have horrible TMJ. It isn't really chronic, I've only had it a few times, and only in great stress, but right now it's really bad. I don't want to waste money on a mouth guard for night time, since it's expensive to only use for a short time and gag on it anyway. XP I have some soothing muscle rub that I am going to try. Any other suggestions? The pain is killing me. :(

Updates

+1 y

I did some research, and I think in my case the mouth guard might actually make it worse. I clench down when something is in my mouth, so it would have the opposite effect. And since I only clench my teeth during times of high stress, The websites say to take pain killers and watch myself relax my jaw in a mirror.

[rachiee]

I think you need to see a doctor regardless, this isn't normal. It could be a problem with your jaw/nerves. There's no lotions/remedies to help because it could be a sign of something serious. Things don't have to occur constantly for it to be a sign that something is wrong.

[rachiee]

Diagnosing yourself by what is said online usually is never a good idea.

[candlewax]

Massage and stretch the muscles in your jaw. Advil helps with the pain, and there's an exercise of tensing up the jaw, then releasing it to relax it. It's an exercise they do to help relax muscles.

[candlewax]

To your update- no the mouthguard will not make it worse. The jaw muscle tension is separate from the mouth guard itself. That clenching puts extra stress on the teeth and may cause abnormal wear and tear on your jaws. If you don't want to go the mouth guard route, fine. But don't write it off because you don't understand how they work. I'm in the same boat with tmj, so I understand, but just sayin'- understand what it is the mouth guard is for and its benefits. A dentist will tell you the same.

[candlewax]

*abnormal wear on the teeth, not jaw. Gah.

[BCRanger10]

I think the best remedy is to get an operation done. I've had it for years. I haven't had pain, but I worry about what will happen long-term if I don't do something about it.

[martyfellow]

Go with the mouth guard or this will only get worse, trust me. Some therapy for relaxation is a better long term solution!

[Anonymous]

"Waste" money on a mouth guard?

Go see a dentist or this will end up costing you FAR far more $ than you could even imagine.

[Gone_But_Not_Lost]

TMJ?

[DaniJ]

It's not my teeth. It's just a tense jaw. And it isn't chronic, I rarely have this problem. I just want to find a way to relax my jaw.

[Opinion Owner]

It's treated by dentists.

[candlewax]

Honey, the long term effects of TMJ will cause teeth issues later on down the road. Just because you want to downplay it doesn't make it any less severe. The mouth guard is actually a very wise investment.