The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw to the side of your head. When it works well, it enables you to talk, chew and yawn.
For people with TMJ dysfunction, problems with the joint and muscles around it may cause:
- Pain that travels through the face, jaw or neck
- Stiff jaw muscles
- Limited movement or locking of the jaw
- Painful clicking or popping in the jaw
- Change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
Treatment
Jaw pain may go away with little or no treatment.
Treatment may include:
- Pain medicines
- Devices to insert in your mouth
- Surgery
What you can do at home:
- Eat soft foods
- Apply ice packs
- Exercise:
- Relax your jaw muscles by pressing your tongue up on the roof of your mouth.
- This relieves jaw pressure.
- & can prevent the development of chronic pain in the joint called TMJ.
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