Is Holiday Stress Aggravating Your TMJ?

During the holidays, TMJ patients often feel increased painful TMJ symptoms. Unfortunately, as stress increases so does TMJ pain, such as: jaw pain, poor jaw mobility, headaches, and migraines. Sometimes, these symptoms are due to continuos clenching or grinding. Typically, TMJ patients have a tendency to clench or grind in their sleep. However, stressful situations can also trigger these habits during the day. Although the holidays are beautiful time of year, filled with lots of family time and food, they can also be a very stressful time for everyone, making TMJ pain worse for TMJ sufferers.

The TMJ Doctor, Dr. Farnad, specializes in TMJ treatment in Los Angeles. He is internationally recognized for his individualized treatment for TMJ patients. Dr. Farnad understands that every person suffering from TMJ experiences TMJ symptoms in a different way, which is why it is so important that patients undergo treatment specifically designed to manage their symptoms and more importantly the source of the pain.

If you or someone you know is suffering from TMJ pain, it is very important that they see a TMJ specialist. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to gum disease, broken teeth, and permanent damage to the temporomandibular joint. To learn more about the treatment options specifically designed to treat your individual TMJ symptoms, call The TMJ Doctor, Dr. Farnad.

To schedule a consultation call us at (310)276-5300 or toll free (855)276-5300

421 N. Rodeo Dr. Ste T8

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

www.thetmjdoctor.com

www.bhcomfs.com  

Dr. Fariborz Farnad is a TMJ specialist located in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles. Treating patients throughout Los Angeles, including Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills, San Fernando Valley, Orange County, Long Beach, Downey, Irvine, Northridge, Cerritos, Santa Barbara, Encino.

TMJ Home Remedies

We use our jaw for almost everything! You need to be able to talk, chew, yawn, and laugh with comfort and ease. Total relaxation of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles is difficult for patients with TMJ pain. Holding the jaw muscles and joints in a relaxed position is, however, very manageable with practice. Regular attempts to relax the jaw muscles, and avoidance of activities that would overwork the area, will be helpful to reduce the pain and prevent additional strain to the area.

Here are some tips and tricks to reducing your TMJ pain and symptoms:

1. Apply moist heat for 20 min 2-4 times each day to the painful area. You can microwave a wet towel for 1-2 minutes or until the towel is warm or you can wrap the moist towel around a hot water bottle to keep it warm longer. You can also try applying ice wrapped in a thin washcloth for 10 minutes 2-4 times per day. Only apply ice until you first feel some numbness. Do not ice for more than 15 minutes. Heat or ice can reduce joint or muscle pain and relax the muscles.

2. Eat softer food, avoid hard foods like french bread, bagels, and chips. Avoid very chewy foods, such as steak and candy. Cut fruit and steamed vegetables into small pieces and chew with your back teeth rather than biting with your front teeth. Please do not chew gum.

3. Your new mantra is: Tongue up and teeth apart. Your teeth should never touch (except lightly for swallowing). We suggest you closely monitor your jaw position during the day, while you're awake, so that you maintain your jaw in a relaxed,comfortable position. This involves placing the tongue lightly on the top of your mouth behind your upper teeth, allowing the teeth to come apart and relaxing the jaw muscles.

4. Avoid caffeine. We know it hurts to put that cup of coffee down, but your TMJ probably hurts more! Caffeine is a "muscle contractor"drug and can make your muscles tighter. Caffeine you should avoid includes coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. Decaffeinated coffee has half as much caffeine as regular, so try switching until you can kick the habit. 

5. Chew your food on both sides at the same time to reduce strain on one side.

6. Avoid clenching your teeth, grinding your teeth (bruxism), teeth touching or resting teeth together, biting cheeks, tongue or lip, biting pens, pencils, or other objects, gum chewing, tongue pushing against the teeth, jaw tensing or other habits.

7. Avoid resting your jaw on your hand.

8. Try avoid opening your mouth for extended period of times, prolonged yawning and dental treatments, until the pain is reduced.

9. Avoid sleeping on your stomach since this puts adverse forces on the jaw and neck muscles.

10. Use anti-inflammatory and pain medications like Ibuprofen, Tylenol, and Asprin (without caffeine) to reduce joint and muscle pain.

11. Try yoga, meditation, or even acupuncture to reduce stress. Exercise is a great way to relieve stress and unwind. Just be careful when you are working out. Try not to grind your teeth, clench your jaw, and avoid sports/movement that could allow you to be hit in the face.

If these tips and tricks do not help in reducing TMJ/Jaw pain and symptoms then we recommend being treated by a TMJ specialist. Call our office at (310)276-5300 or call toll free (866)DOC-4TMJ and schedule your consultation. 

For more information about TMJ symptoms and jaw pain, visit www.thetmjdoctor.com, to learn more about Dr. Farnad, our office, and how we can help improve your life and reduce your TMJ pain.