How To Cure TMJ Permanently? Discover Most Effective Ways

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is a joint responsible for facial movements from chewing to smiling. When someone struggles with TMJ dysfunction, they experience pain in this joint. Ear pain, neck pain, headaches, etc. are common problems people face with such a disorder. This can be a frustrating issue and can affect your everyday activities and quality of life. If you are experiencing TMJ discomfort and are looking for, “How to cure TMJ permanently”, this article can guide you well! Here, we will discuss effective at-home solutions and other surgical treatment options to permanently treat this condition. Let’s start!

Glance At The Topic:

• TMJ dysfunction is a condition, impacting around 5%-12% of adults between the age of 20-40 years.
• The common symptoms of TMJ may include jaw pain and stiffness, neck or shoulder pain, headaches, ear pain, etc. Factors contributing to this condition are teeth grinding, jaw trauma, stress, etc.
• There are some effective home remedies to cure TMJ

• However, in severe TMJ cases, surgical options are the right and effective solutions.

Understanding TMJ

Before learning the potential solutions, it’s important to understand the TMJ dysfunction and the factors contributing to it. Typically, TMJ dysfunction is a condition that affects the jaw joints and the muscles nearby. Around 5%-12% of the adult people live with TMJ disorder. Usually, people of any age can experience TMJ symptoms, however, the high probability occurs between the age of 20-40 years. Females are more likely to have TMJ dysfunction than males.

Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ Symptoms may differ from one person to another. The most common symptoms are:

• Jaw pain or stiffness
• Neck or shoulder pain
• Difficulty in opening or closing the mouth
• Headaches
• Ear pain
• Toothaches
• Tinnitus (ringing sound in the ears)

Causes of TMJ

Many factors can contribute to TMJ disorder such as:

• Teeth grinding
• Poorly aligned teeth
• Jaw trauma like dislocation or break
• Arthritis
• Stress

Can TMJ Be Cured?

Some of the TMJ dysfunction can be cured permanently. From lifestyle modifications to surgery, TMJ can be treated efficiently. Severe cases of TMJ which occur due to a dislocated disc or dislocated jaw may be resolved with orthopedic appliances and surgery if required.

How Long Does It Take For TMJ To Heal?

It typically depends on the severity of the TMJ dysfunction. As per a study, in most cases, TMJ recovery time is within 1-2 weeks. However, in severe cases, this condition can continue for many months or sometimes years. So, if you are wondering, “Is TMJ a lifelong problem”, the answer relies on the severity of the condition. For some people, it’s a temporary problem that disappears in 1-2 weeks. For others, it can be a chronic condition, adversely affecting their quality of life. So, it needs proper treatment and management to cure TMJ.

How To Cure TMJ Permanently at Home?

In mild cases, you can fix TMJ without surgery. However, in severe cases, seek professional help instead. So, if you’re looking for, “How to cure tmj permanently naturally”, here are some effective self-care tips:

1. Apply Ice or Heat

You can apply ice for about 10 minutes every two hours to reduce pain and inflammation. Alternatively, heat can also be applied for around 15-20 minutes 2-4 times per day to relieve muscle or joint pain and soothe the muscles.

2. Eat Soft foods

Do not eat chewy and hard foods. If eating fruits, cut them into little pieces and even make the veggies softer by steaming them. Make sure pressure is not involved only on one side of the mouth, so better to chew on both sides.

3. Practice Pain Relief Exercises

Practice some pain relief exercises as they help prevent the discomfort caused due to TMJ and restore the jaw joint’s movements.

4. Take Over-the-counter Medications

If pain is intolerable, you can take over-the-counter medications with your doctor’s advice. Those may include muscle relaxants, aspirin, or some other over-the-counter painkillers.

5. Reduce Stress

You can consider practicing yoga, relaxation techniques, or meditation to reduce stress and facilitate relaxation.

6. Sleep Well

The TMJ symptoms can worsen by poor sleep posture which can cause strain on your shoulders and neck. So, adjust your sleep position by placing a pillow between the shoulder and neck to reduce strain or pressure on the affected areas.

What Are The Surgical Options For TMJ?

If the cases are severe and non-surgical treatments are not effective in curing TMJ dysfunction, surgery can be an option. The following are the surgical options:

1. Arthrocentesis

Doctors insert small needles in the joint to flush off the fluid which clears residue and inflammatory byproducts.

2. TMJ Arthroscopy

In this procedure, professionals insert a small thin tube into the joint to clear scar tissue, readjust the disc, or reshape jawbone parts.

3. Modified Condyloma

This surgery option is best for people living with jaw-locking issues. This procedure treats the jawbone instead of the jaw joints.

4. Open-Joint Surgery

If your jaw pain is not curable with the above surgical options, open-joint surgery is the last option to fix or replace the joint.

How To Prevent TMJ?

Early intervention can help treat the TMJ dysfunction before the symptoms become severe. You can follow such preventive measures:

• Maintain good oral hygiene routines.
• Avoid munching hard foods.
• Keep a good posture.
• Use relaxing techniques.
• Take frequent breaks if your work needs long hours of sitting.
• Manage your stress by practicing yoga or meditation.

Summing Up

This article explores how to cure TMJ permanently. We learn since many factors contribute to TMJ dysfunction, treatment options may vary from one person to another. If the cases are mild, home remedies are best such as applying ice or heat, eating soft foods, taking over-the-counter medications, etc. However, in severe cases, surgery is the only option so, seek medical help. During the consultation, doctors will analyze the symptoms and diagnose the potential causes. This will help them determine the right surgical option to treat the specific issue.

Frequently Asked Questions