- 1). Eat soft foods so your jaw does not tire out from chewing, as recommended by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
- 2). Apply an ice pack to reduce the pain when you feel like you are having a jaw muscle spasm.
- 3). Avoid extreme jaw movements such as opening wide for a long period of time. For example, when you are at the dentist, try to close your mouth every so often so you don't strain your jaw. Also, avoid excessive gum chewing.
- 4). Do some gentle jaw stretches and jaw relaxation exercises. A physical therapist or physician may be able to suggest appropriate exercises for you to do.
- 5). To alleviate the jaw pain, try taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen. If recommended by your dentist or physician, you may need to be prescribed a muscle relaxant or stronger pain medication for your symptoms.
- 6). Wear a stabilization splint. Your dentist or doctor may recommend that you wear this appliance. A stabilization splint is a guard that fits over your teeth and should be used only temporarily. According to the NIDCR, it is the most common treatment for TMJ disorders.
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