Caring For Your TMJ Therapy
We are treating your TMJ, the jaw joint, to relieve pain, clicking, and tension from clenching, grinding, or joint strain. Your appliance and these habits work together to rest and reposition the jaw. Healing the jaw takes consistency. Here is how to get relief.
Wearing Your Appliance
- Wear it as directed, often at night, to keep the jaw in a rested position and protect your teeth.
- It may feel odd at first. That settles within a week or two of consistent use.
- Consistency is key, the jaw improves with steady use, not occasional.
Rest Your Jaw
- Soft foods during flare-ups. Cut food small and avoid hard, chewy items like gum and tough meat.
- Do not open wide, stifle big yawns and skip biting into large foods like whole apples.
- Rest the jaw in a relaxed position, teeth slightly apart, lips together.
Easing The Pain
- Moist heat on the jaw relaxes tight muscles. Ice calms sharp pain or swelling.
- Gentle jaw stretches or exercises as we showed you, if prescribed.
- Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen help with pain and swelling if appropriate for you.
- Manage stress, which drives clenching. Notice and relax your jaw through the day.
Call Us If
- Your jaw locks open or closed, or you cannot open or close normally.
- Pain is severe or rapidly worsening despite the appliance and care.
- Your bite suddenly feels very different, or the appliance hurts your teeth.
- Anything that concerns you about your progress.
How To Get Lasting Relief
TMJ improvement comes from consistently resting and protecting the jaw, not from any single fix. Steady habits are what calm the joint and muscles over time.
- Wear your appliance as directed and keep up the jaw-resting habits, even on good days.
- Be patient, the jaw is a joint and muscle system that heals gradually with consistent care.
- Keep your follow-up visits so we can adjust the appliance and your plan as you improve.
Stay consistent and we will work together to get your jaw comfortable again!
Questions about your TMJ therapy? Call the office anytime. We are here for you!
