Did you know that jaw pain can be caused by a number of things? It might be something as simple as grinding your teeth at night, or it could be a more serious problem like TMJ. No matter what the cause, there are ways to relieve the pain. Here are eleven of them.
1. Relax your jaw muscles. Try holding a warm washcloth against your cheek near the painful area. Gently massage the muscles in a circular motion for a few minutes. You can also try putting a warm, moist compress on your jaw for 5-10 minutes at a time several times a day.
2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers.
3. Apply ice to the painful area for 10-15 minutes at a time several times a day.
4. Eat soft foods and avoid chewy, hard, or sticky foods that might irritate your TMJ or make your pain worse. Try pureed fruits or vegetables, soups, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, and yogurt.
5. Avoid clenching your teeth during the day or night. If you notice that you clench or grind your teeth, ask your dentist about getting fitted for a mouth guard that you can wear at night.
6. Practice good posture and alignment. Sit up straight and avoid slouching forward in your chair all day long. When standing, keep your shoulders back and down with your head level – don’t strain forward to look at something.
7. Stretch and massage the muscles in front of your ears and below your chin several times a day to help relieve tension headaches that might be contributing to your jaw pain.
8. Try CBD salve. CBD salve is known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, making it an ideal natural treatment for jaw pain.
9. Get regular chiropractic adjustments. Jaw pain is often caused by misalignments in the spine or neck, so regular chiropractic care can help to relieve the pain.
10. Try acupuncture. Acupuncture is an ancient healing treatment that can be very effective in treating jaw pain.
11. Practice stress-relieving techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga to help reduce the tension in your jaw muscles.
If you’re dealing with jaw pain, don’t suffer in silence. Try one of these eleven natural remedies and find the relief you need. However, if your pain is severe or persists for more than a few days, be sure to see your doctor or dentist to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Sometimes it is just best to seek professional help.