5 Effective Home Remedies to Relieve Jaw Pain

Waking up with or experiencing jaw pain at any time is not pleasant. The good news is that you can treat it at home with a few remedies.

Home remedies work well on the pain that comes on suddenly. Once it starts lingering, it’s time to start seeking the professional advice of doctors and dentists. Pain is the warning sign that a condition that requires attention is on the horizon.

While you apply your remedies at home, take note of your pain’s characteristics. Ask yourself:

• How strong is the pain?
• How long does the discomfort last?
• Does the discomfort occur several times a day?
• Does the discomfort occur at the same time daily?

Getting a grip on the discomfort means that you can treat it effectively at home.

Sometimes a simple solution such as a night guard reduces jaw pain significantly. Other times a dentist can provide a long-term solution.

The following are five effective home remedies to relieve jaw pain.

1. Alternate with Heat and Ice

In a pinch, alternating with heat and ice can provide relief from pain. Applying heat to the jaw causes the blood to rush to the area.

Some members of the medical community believe that blood has natural healing properties. If the blood congregates at the area of pain, it could heal faster.

Placing ice where you feel pain numbs it. While it’s numb, you receive welcome relief, even for a few seconds. Alternating between heat and ice encourages healing and provides relief.

At home, apply heat for 30 seconds. Then, apply a cold compress for 30 seconds. Continue to cycle a few times throughout the day. Once you feel extended relief, you’re on the right track.

2. Massage the Area

The physical therapy sector continues picking up market share. Among its treatments is massage. Massages stimulate nerve endings, blood flow, and muscles. Together, they send signals to the brain.

The goal is to put the brain at ease. If the brain stops anticipating pain, it can relax when a person moves their jaw and surrounding muscles. As people age, they lose their range of motion. The situation becomes a catch-22.

You stop using your jaw’s full range of motion because you feel pain. But the less you use your jaw’s full range of motion, the more you lose it.

Massaging the jaw relaxes the area. When the pain is new or mild, it’s a remedy that can provide welcome relief. Massage the area for 30 seconds at a time throughout the day for best results.

3. Try an Over-the-Counter Remedy

Understanding the characteristics of the pain helps you find the right remedy. If inflammation causes it, an over-the-counter remedy often works within 20 minutes.

Oral over-the-counter pain relief solutions reduce inflammation that causes pain. That’s why it’s commonly used for menstrual cramps, mild headaches, and arthritis.

JS Dental Lab offers additional homeopathic solutions for individuals who grind their teeth that can work for jaw pain too.

4. Switch to Soft Foods

Any time an individual aims to reduce discomfort and pain, they must find the source. Eating too many foods that require the jaw to work harder can cause pain.

Test the theory by switching to a diet of soft foods for a few days.

For example, individuals who suffer from TMJ benefit from a diet that consists of:

• Yogurt
• String cheese
• Hummus
• Scrambled eggs
• Beans
• Fish
• Oatmeal

These jaw-friendly food items also provide nutritional value that strengthens bones and teeth.

5. Practice Stress Management

Some individuals experience jaw pain because they clench their teeth. Daytime clenching isn’t as detrimental as nighttime clenching and teeth grinding. But to relieve pain caused by clenching and grinding, try practicing stress management.

The medical community knows that children tend to grind their teeth. As they age, the habit fades away. When adults grind their teeth or clench their jaws, it’s a result of exterior factors such as stress.

Adults deal with life daily. Losing a job, a car requiring repairs suddenly, or dealing with a family emergency can cause stress. Practicing meditation or yoga helps individuals cope. Other forms of physical activity such as walking, jogging, or weightlifting can set stress to the side too.

The trick is to find stress management techniques that work for you.

Conclusion

When jaw pain is the result of something other than an injury, it’s possible to treat it at home. If the pain becomes persistent or the aftermath of an injury, speak with a medical professional. A dentist or doctor can provide additional guidance on long-term pain relief solutions.