The temporomandibular joint connects the lower to the skull. If pain in the TMJ does not subside on its own, then there are jaw exercises that can bring relief from pain caused by temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

The exercises may promote jaw healing and help control jaw clicking. Research suggests that jaw exercises are an efficacious way to control TMD.

There are quite a few exercises to choose from. You can perform these anytime and anywhere. If you spend 5-10 minutes a day executing these easy movements, you may notice an improvement in the symptoms of TMD, such as discomfort while chewing; pain in the ear, neck, or face, and the jaw joint getting locked.

One easy movement that you can perform is to open your mouth wide and then gently push the right side of your jaw with the right hand. Keep the pressure for ten seconds. Then repeat on the other side. Do three repetitions for each side. Massage the muscles covering the hinged joints of the jaw with a downward movement. Open your mouth as wide as you can, hold for up to 5 seconds, then close your mouth. Open your mouth again, but this time only half as wide.

Here’s one exercise to help relax tensed jaw muscles. Begin by resting your tongue behind the upper front teeth. Open your mouth a little while maintaining the position of the tongue.

The exercises mentioned above will help train the jaw muscles to move correctly. These exercises will also strengthen the jaw muscles. As a result, over time you’ll experience less pain in these jaw hinges. Get in touch with us for a clearer understanding of the best exercises for your situation. An exercise that may work for one person may not for another; expert guidance helps. We are the dental care experts you can trust.