TMJ treatment is certainly the best fix for an aching jaw, as it’ll ease your discomfort and offer relief. Even so, don’t underestimate how good home care can help your situation. Using jaw exercises to help with TMJ pain would let you get through the worst of your troubles. As for the proof, your local Parker dentist will gladly share the relevant details with you. Read on to learn four great exercises to ease the aches in your jaw area.
Goldfish Movements (Partial & Full)
One set of exercises that could ease your jaw’s aches are the Goldfish movements. Depending on the situation, you could perform partial or full versions of them.
The partial Goldfish movement is the less intense kind. To do it, you first place your tongue on your mouth’s roof, a finger near your TMJ, and a pointer finger on your chin. You’d then drop your jaw hallway down and then close it; there’d only be mild resistance at most. By performing these steps repeatedly, your jawbone should start to hurt less.
On the other hand, the full “goldfish” movement takes things a bit further. While keeping your tongue and fingers in the same positions, this approach forces you to open your mouth fully before closing it.
Relaxed Jaw Exercise
If you prefer a less strenuous approach, try a relaxed jaw exercise. This type relieves your pain without involving much effort.
The exercise itself consists of three steps:
- Gently rest your tongue on the roof of your mouth, behind your upper front teeth.
- Let your teeth come apart while relaxing your jaw muscles.
- Following steps one and two, open your mouth to a comfortable size and repeat.
When performing this exercise, you may experience popping or cracking sounds. Don’t worry – this symptom is temporary and won’t harm you.
Chin Tucks
Given your pain, you may be afraid to open your mouth. You should do chin tucks in that case; they’d ease your aches without opening your oral cavity.
Good chin tucks involve a few key actions. First, sit or stand with your shoulders back and chest up; these movements create a good posture. Next is to pull your chin straight back and toward your chest, creating a “double chin.” Lastly, hold this position for three seconds and repeat the pulling-back motion ten times.
Side-to-Side Jaw Movement
Patients who feel daring may want to consider side-to-side jaw movement. Done enough, this exercise strengthens your jawbone and helps it overcome pain.
For side-to-side jaw movements, you only need to put an ¼ inch object (maybe a tongue depressor) between your front teeth. You would then move your jaw side to side and hold for 2-3 seconds at the end of each movement. By repeating those steps ten times on each side, your jaw should feel better.
While you wait for treatment, you don’t need to twiddle your thumbs. Try using the above exercises to help with TMJ pain!
About the Author
Dr. Rodney L. Allen is a top-tier dentist based in Parker, CO, having earned his DDS from the Baylor College of Dentistry. Thanks to his knowledge and skills, he’s been serving his patients and their smiles for twenty years and counting! That means you can trust him for preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency oral care! Today, Dr. Allen practices at his self-titled clinic and is reachable on his website and by phone at (720)-851-6784.