Are thereanything you can do at home to relieve tjm

[Cheri21157]

I think I might me suffering from tjm and was wondering if there was anything I could do at home to relieve some of the pressure and pain in my throat and neck area? I notice when I lay down I clench my jaw really tight and sometimes have teeth marks on my tongue or cheeks. I also have a plugged right ear. have been to a reg dr and both say my throat is not sore and my ear not infected. Do have a dental appt.

[LivingInHope]

Try holding your tongue between your top front and bottom front teeth.  Try to focus on relaxing those cheek muscles.  Try circular massage at jaw joint, face muscles and around the ear.  You actually may want to go to an oral maxillofacial specialist if your dentist only offers you a soft plastic night guard or says he can't do much to help you.  You will want a hard plastic, flat planed splint.  This is the kind I have and was recommended for me.  It is expensive, but I'd be miserable without it.  I have a classic type two overbite and arthritis in both jaws.  If you try ibuprofen, you have to do it cyclically for at least two weeks if you expect inflammation to go down.  You should be under the watchful eye of an oral maxillofacial specialist so they can judge if you are having improvement.

[LLWB]

Alternating cold packs and hot packs will help. Also a soft diet. Don't chew gum. When yawning hold under your chin so that your mouth doesn't open too wide. Anti-inflammatories such as Aleve or ibuprophin will help. Good luck, glad you have appt..