LAKE FOREST AND LAKE BLUFF IL
People from many sectors of life are affected by temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ). People frequently become aware of symptoms but mistakenly attribute them to another issue, such as stress or momentary jaw discomfort. Others believe it isn’t a major deal and can be handled by making little adjustments to their daily routine. While this is true in certain instances, if the jaw discomfort is chronic and recurrent, it’s crucial to see a TMJ expert for an evaluation. Our Lake Bluff TMJ dentists at Lake Forest Smiles share on the blog today four ways to reduce TMJ pain at home so that you can reduce painful symptoms. You will experience the best results when pairing these tips with professional care from a Lake Forest TMJ specialist.
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Stop Chewing Gum
Chewing gum, eating ice, and biting your nails are all dangerous habits that can cause jaw pain. Our Lincolnshire dentists who treat TMJ patients explain that in addition to aggravating the joints surrounding your jaw, persistent chewing can create jaw muscle stiffness. Worse still, chewing can further aggravate the TMJ condition by overstressing the muscles and joints. Regular chewing or grinding might cause migraines or regular headaches.
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Massage Your Jaw Muscles
Many times, rubbing and applying pressure to the regions is a useful approach to decrease stress and pain by pinpointing the proper muscles and bones involved with TMJ symptoms. Begin by touching the corner of your lips with your fingertips, then move your fingers back toward your ear until you feel a flat plane of bone. Our TMJ dentists in Lake Forest explain that your masseter muscles are located here and massaging them stimulates blood flow, which can help decrease muscle tension and inflammation. Another choice is to physically push on the area of your jaw that is beneath your masseter muscles. Continuous pressure might give the area discomfort alleviation that is sorely required.
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Exercise Your Jaw
Exercises for stretching, relaxation, and strengthening can all help with TMJ discomfort. In between TMJ flare-ups, strengthening exercises like pressing your chin down while placing your thumb on it is useful. However, when in pain, this activity may make things worse. While experiencing a TMJ flare-up, stretching your jaw muscles might provide pain relief. Our dentists who treat TMJ in Lake Forest advise patients to release tension in muscles and joints by placing the tip of their tongue on the roof of their mouth and opening it as wide as possible for 5 to 10 seconds.
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Homeopathic Pain Solutions
A common remedy for pain relief is arnica. Although the plant may be harmful if consumed undiluted, there are oral preparations available. Our Lincolnshire TMJ dentist explains that the arnica pill acts as a natural pain reliever when it is placed under your tongue and allowed to dissolve. Additionally, arnica is available as a topical solution that can be applied directly to the skin over the injured region.
TMJ Treatment in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Lincolnshire
Although the above tips can help reduce painful symptoms associated with TMJ, they can’t cure the condition. TMJ is a significant condition that you may have to deal with for the rest of your life, although the pain can be managed. The jaw pain and discomfort linked to TMJ can be minimized or avoided over time by taking the right measures and being aware of certain triggers. However, as TMJ problems become common, it is crucial to see a professional. The only way to achieve complete recovery and pain-free life is to connect with a Lake Forest area TMJ dentist. Please call Lake Forest Smiles at (847) 234-4800 or contact us online to request an appointment so you can be on your way to a pain-free life.