| HOME CARE
FOR TMJ AND MYOFACIAL PAIN
I. Sleep on your back. When you do this~ the natural curvature of
your spine must be supported. Place a pillow under your knees and
either a small pillow or a rolled up towel under your neck.
2. Apply worm moist heat to the areas that ache using a heating
pad along with a moist towel. Do this for 20 minutes twice a day.
3. Limit the intake of sugar , caffeine, and nicotine. Sugar and
caffeine are stimulants which will increase muscle activity .We
are tying to rest muscles in order to stop muscle spasms. Nicotine
causes the blood sugar to rise, which again increases muscle activity.
4. Avoid clenching your teeth together, Try to keep in your mind
during waking hours the phrase, lips together and teeth apart.
5. Avoid foods that involve a lot of chewing. This includes hard
foods and sticky foods.
6. Try not to open your mouth very wide, This tends to stretch muscles
and ligaments within the jaw joint. It is help to support the lower
jaw with your fist under the chin while yawning.
7. Dr. Bonds will probably give you a muscle relaxant. Please take
ONLY as prescribed on the bottle. The splint he has given you is
an excellent treatment for the symptoms you are currently experiencing.
8. To clean your splint, use a toothbrush and a mild soap, followed
by soaking it in mouthwash. A commercial cleaner is also acceptable.
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