Q: I think I have TMJ. What can I do?

 

TMJ is a very common cause of chronic ear pain. It is best treated with conservative therapy.

Jaw Rest 

  • Stop chewing gum 

  • Avoid tough foods (beef jerky, bagels, pizza crust) 

  • Eat soft or blended foods 

  • If you play a wind instrument consider stopping for a minimum of 6 weeks. 

Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications 

  • Ibuprophen (or Motrin, Advil) - adults can take up to 800 mg. up to three times a day for up to one week.

or

  • Naprosyn (or Aleve, Naproxen) - adults can take 1 tablet up to two times per day for up to one week.

Disclaimer … these meds aren’t for everyone, and can cause GI issues like gastritis and GI bleeding. Also, they shouldn’t be taken if you have heart diseases like coronary artery disease. Always check with your personal doctor (or me) before taking them long term (over a week).

Moist Heat 

A warm, wet washcloth or hot water bottle is a good choice. 

Mouth Guard

If you grind your teeth at night, consider getting a mouth guard, which you can get over the counter and mold for yourself, or see your dentist about getting a custom guard made. 

Stress Management 

Believe it or not, emotion and stress play an important role in TMJ. Anything that helps you to relieve stress is helpful. Consider healthy outlets like reading, exercising, listening to music. Professional counseling is another helpful means of learning to cope with stress.

 
 
 

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Daily Life, ThroatErin Shellenbergerjaw, tmj, Mouth, throat