When you breathe through your mouth when you sleep, especially as a child or teen, this can result in imbalanced development problems like jaw and tooth deformations that can contribute to TMJ.
Depending on the pillow you use, sleeping on your side can put your head and neck out of alignment, leading to TMJ pain in the morning and the day. On Your Back. If you suffer from TMJ pain, lying on your back is by far your best option. Your neck and back stay in good alignment and no pressure is put on your jaw.
If Your Jaw Hurts In The Morning, You May Be Grinding Your Teeth. Teeth grinding (bruxism) is the most common cause of jaw pain. If you notice that your jaw only hurts in the morning when you wake up, and your jaw pain becomes less intense as the day goes on, nighttime teeth grinding is the most likely culprit.
If you can't pop the jaw back with relative ease, do not force it to move. Instead, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you are able to unlock your jaw on your own, it is important to seek help from a TMJ specialist who can evaluate you and recommend a proper treatment plan to prevent further damage.
Try using a wedge-shaped pillow to elevate your head and upper torso while you sleep. Aim for an elevation of 30 to 60 degrees. This should help to keep your mouth closed, making you breathe through your nose. Sleeping with your head elevated can also help to reduce snoring and improve sleep apnea.
BOTOX® Cosmetic and Dysport are both options to prevent the muscle from overworking and help it shrink back down to its normal size. The result is a slimmer and more contoured lower face. Patients who get masseter muscle BOTOX® or Dysport tend to look like they have lost weight.
Stretching exercises
Open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Place the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Glide your lower jaw out as far as it will go and then back in as far as it will go. Hold for 5-10 seconds in each position.
Certain activities (called triggers) strain the TMJ, making symptoms worse. The tips below can help you stay away from common triggers and limit strain: Don't eat hard or chewy foods. These include nuts, pretzels, popcorn, chips, gum, caramel, gummy candies, carrots, whole apples, hard breads, and even ice.
TMJ pain can be on one side or both sides. It all depends on where the pain is located. If the pain is located on one side of the face, the problem is likely to originate from that side. However, if the pain is spread across both sides of the face, it is less likely that the problem originates from one specific side.
Try a different pillow- Your pillow could be aggravating your TMJ condition. If it's worn out, too thick, or too hard, it could be aggravating your condition. Some pillows have been designed specifically to address TMJ disorders.
For patients suffering from TMJ conditions and pain, it is vital to understand how important the right neck and head support is. Investing in proper pillows that give you this support can alleviate the tension and overcompensation of your facial and neck muscles.
This involves placing the tongue lightly on the top/roof of your mouth wherever it is most comfortable while allowing the teeth to come apart, and relaxing the jaw muscles. Often putting your tongue gently on the roof of your mouth like when you softly say “n” or “no”, “never”, “nothing” is a comfortable position.
TMJ is worse at night because teeth grinding and jaw clenching are more common during sleep. As your body works to maintain your airway open while you sleep, you'll clench your teeth during the night.
However, this is not an irreversible condition, and with proper treatment, one may be able to cure TMJ pain permanently. For starters, you must stop any habits of teeth grinding or clenching, and anything that puts pressure on the joint.
Things that make TMJ dysfunction worse
Poor posture. (This can place excess pressure on your neck, shoulder and facial muscles.) Chewing on pens, pencils or other items (a common “nervous habit” behavior). Chewing on ice or excessively chewing gum.
For example, holding your head forward while looking at a computer all day strains the muscles of your face and neck. Other factors that may make TMJ symptoms worse include poor diet and lack of sleep. Many people end up having "trigger points." These are contracted muscles in your jaw, head, and neck.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) is a condition that occurs when your jaw becomes misaligned. As a result, your bite is not in balance and your muscles are strained in their normal resting position. This can lead to a number of problems and painful symptoms.
Recovery Time
The good news is that most TMJ symptoms will clear up in no more than three weeks typically.
They may even experience swelling in the jaw or face. TMJ can flare up at any time, and the condition can commonly last between two days and a few weeks. Consuming soft foods and applying cool or hot packs to your facial area can help to relieve pain but are not a permanent fix.
As a result, TMJ disorder can lead to over-developed jaw muscles on one side of the jaw. These muscles may bulge due to their development or due to swelling or irritation, creating a change in your facial appearance.
Avoid chewing gum, as it allows your jaw muscles to get more used to clenching and makes you more likely to grind your teeth. Train yourself not to clench or grind your teeth. If you notice that you clench or grind during the day, position the tip of your tongue between your teeth.
Changes in facial appearance caused by Bruxism can be reversible to some extent. With appropriate care and treatment, it is possible. Reducing jaw muscle activity can help the jaw muscles recover, leading to a reduction in muscle size and an improvement in the jawline.