How do I relax my jaw?

[pigsinmud]

I have had jaw issues for a while. Last dentist visit 2 months ago, it was bad. I couldn't open my mouth properly and when did open my mouth it was wonky! He suggested tmj and getting a mouth guard. I had one years ago, but hated it and used to take it out in my sleep.

Anyway for the last couple of weeks I have this feeling that I want to clench my teeth all the time. Today it is really awful - I can't relax my jaw and neck. How do i do it? I don't feel stressed.

I also have one sensitive tooth - sensitive to sweet things. This seems worse when my jaw feels tense. Do any if those sensitive toothpastes work??

Press the front of your tongue against the back of your teeth

Not sure if I'm doing that right, but in the process discovered that if I move my lower jaw forward - sort of sticking it out - it relieves the tension slightly. It's driving me mad today.

I have found these exercises are helpful when I feel jaw pain coming on they are recommended in a leaflet the maxi-facial consultant gave me so are safe:

Place the hand under the point of the chin and open the mouth until the teeth are just apart. maintain firm opening pressure against hand resistance for 30 seconds or until the jaw muscles feel tired. When this point is reached, remove the hand and swallow quickly in order to relax the jaw. Immediately following this, place a finger of each hand just in front of the ear to support the jaw and allow the jaw to open smoothly and widely avoiding any swing to the left or right. remove fingers and close the mouth to complete the exercise. Do 5 times a sitting 2 or 3 times a day. This will produce a reflex relaxation of the jaw muscles so temporarily decreasing the load transmitted to the jaw joint.

I have been doing this for 2 days and my jaw already feels a lot more supple and less tired.

Thanks it works!

Warm wheatie pack around your neck?

I have jaw problems! Have had physio through gp which really helped. I find chewing and biting things makes it so much worse. Slight problem when it's your jaw!

Get tooth ache and ear pain as a result. I can tell if it jaw related cos the pain moves from tooth to tooth. It can be very