6 Tips for Relieving Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is unfortunately common, with around 35 million people in the US suffering from a TMJ disorder. If you suffer from severe or even mild jaw pain, you will understand just how much it can affect your life, whether that’s through impacting your sleep or your concentration. So, whether your jaw pain is caused by trauma, TMJ, or tooth problems, follow these six tips for relieving the pain. 

6 Tips for Relieving Jaw Pain
[image: pexels by c technical]

1. Do Jaw Exercises

Jaw exercises will help release tension and increase mobility in that area, so look up the best workouts and perform them once or twice a day. You could even look around for a jaw massager to help get the most out of the exercises while simultaneously soothing the pain. While exercising your jaw, your main focus should be stretching, relaxation, and strengthening. 

2. See a Specialist

While home treatments are beneficial, if your jaw pain is persistent or severe, you must see a pain specialist. Professional jaw pain treatment will help you understand what’s causing the issue in order to overcome the pain itself, not just in the present moment but in the long run, too. So, if home treatments aren’t working and the pain is getting in the way of your daily life, schedule an appointment with a specialist right away. 

3. Apply a Hot or Cold Compress

A heating pad or an ice pack can do wonders for any aching muscles, so apply one of either to your jaw whenever the pain flares up. The cold will help reduce any swelling, which is beneficial for injuries. A heating pad, however, will help relax the muscles in your jaw, providing instant relief. 

4. Relax the Muscles in Your Face

Take notice of how you hold the muscles in your face throughout the day. Now and again, make the effort to release any tension you may have been holding.

Stress causes tension in the body, so relax both your body and mind to relieve jaw pain. You could take a warm bath, listen to some relaxing music, or do gentle exercises to help with this. 

5. Avoid Chewy Foods

The last thing you want to do while experiencing jaw pain is move the muscle even further, as this can make it even worse. Chewing on gum, sticky candy, and other chewy foods will only make your jaw ache more, so avoid these foods when symptoms are severe and opt for softer meals instead, such as soups and pasta. 

6. Improve Your Posture

Sometimes, poor posture can exacerbate jaw pain. For this reason, it’s best to practice keeping your spine aligned and your head level throughout the day. If you struggle with this, there are plenty of posture-correcting exercises you can find online. 

That includes when you sleep, too. To make sure your sleeping position doesn’t exacerbate your jaw pain, use support pillows throughout the night and aim to sleep on your back.

By finding home treatments and seeing a pain specialist when you need to, you ensure jaw pain no longer stands in the way of your life.