Medications: o To help reduce the pain and the inflammation of the joint, Ibuprofen or Naproxen may be taken. For Ibuprofen, you should take 2 tablets (400mg) every 4-6 hours, as needed.
Medications can help manage the discomfort of TMJ. Use anti-inflammatory painkiller every day day for 4 to 5 days consistently • Our top recommendation is 1 or 2 Advil, taken 4 times every day, in consistent doses regardless of pain • If for some reason you can't take ibuprofen, you may use Aleve instead.
The most common medicines prescribed for TMJ are pain relievers and anti-inflammatories, almost always of the over-the-counter variety, such as Tylenol and ibuprofen. If these medicines are not enough to relieve your TMJ pain, your dentist may prescribe something stronger, such as a prescription-strength ibuprofen.
Regarding TMJ pain specifically, no one particular NSAID has shown to be superior to others. Some studies have suggested that ibuprofen should be taken for a minimum of two weeks for best results in treating TMJ pain.
Acetaminophen is used to help temporarily reduce jaw pain but it doesn't address inflammation. Tylenol is a popular brand of acetaminophen. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) help temporarily control both jaw pain and inflammation in a TMJ disorder. An example of an NSAID is ibuprofen (eg, Advil).
Use a hot or cold compress
Ice helps reduce swelling and pain, while heat can increase blood flow and relax your jaw muscles. Apply a hot or cold compress to your jaw for 15 to 20 minutes at a time using a light layer between the compress and your skin.
Recovery Time
The good news is that most TMJ symptoms will clear up in no more than three weeks typically.
The recovery period from TMJ disorder treatment depends on the severity of the condition and the type of treatment you choose. In most cases, relief from symptoms can start within a few weeks, but it may take several months for a full recovery.
Muscle Relaxants
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) blocks nerve impulses (or pain sensations) sent to the brain. Diazepam (Valium) has also been shown to relieve TMJ-related pain.
For many people, short-term use of over-the-counter pain medications or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may provide temporary relief from jaw and muscle discomfort.
Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen can also help to improve swelling and jaw stiffness. Patients should perform exercises to gently stretch their mouth open to get it moving again. It can be tempting just to not open it wide at all, but that can lead to permanent limitation of opening (“chronic trismus”).
You should start to feel better 20 to 30 minutes after taking ibuprofen tablets, capsules, granules or liquid. For some types of long-term pain, you'll need to take ibuprofen regularly for up to 3 weeks for it to work properly. If you're applying ibuprofen to your skin, it should start to work within 1 to 2 days.
So when the TMJ is affected, pain can spread throughout the eyes, ears, mouth, forehead, cheeks, tongue, teeth and throat. Even the muscles of the neck and upper back can become involved. Minor TMJ discomfort will usually go away without treatment.
Recommended pain relief for dental pain in adults. *For severe or acute conditions, ibuprofen can be prescribed to a maximum of 2.4g daily (600mg, four times a day). If you wish to purchase the product over the counter, then the maximum dose is 1.2g daily (400mg, three times a day).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
They may be used as first-line agents for acute pain and are often used to treat inflammatory conditions of the TMJ, such as arthritis. Examples of NSAIDs used for TMJ disorders include Naprosyn (naproxen), Feldene (piroxicam), and Mobic (meloxicam).
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.
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.
While there are several reasons a patient can experience sudden or severe jaw pain, inflammation and overworked muscles tend to be the most common causes of TMJ flare-ups.
Constant or intermittent pain in the jaw joint (TMJ), ranging from mild to severe. General jaw pain, which may or may not be accompanied by TMJ pain. Frequent headaches —a constant ache, throbbing, or piercing like a migraine. Clicking or popping of your jaw when you eat, talk, chew, or open your mouth.
TMJ-related jaw pain can be felt at the temples and it may extend all the way down to the sides of the upper jaw and beyond. Sometimes instead of pain, patients experience a feeling of discomfort, often described as feeling as if their jaw is out of alignment.
Recurring jaw pain, stiffness, and reduced jaw function are tell-tale signs of a TMJ disorder. But sometimes, symptoms are much more visible. Facial swelling is a possible side effect of TMJ disorders, and it shouldn't be ignored.
Massaging your jaw helps reduce muscle tightness and increase blood flow. Open your mouth and, using a circular motion, gently rub the facial muscles next to your ears. This massage targets the area where the temporomandibular joints are located. Do this several times a day, including right before getting into bed.