Temporomandibular dysfunction

TMJ dysfunction:

Exercise 1:

Use a cylindrical rod of soft wooden or plastic material approximately 15 cm long & 15 cm wide eg a large carpenter's pencil
Position this at the back of the mouth so that the molars grasp it the the mandible thrust forward
Rhythmically bite on the rod with a grinding movement for 2-3 minutes at least 3 times a day

Exercise 2:

Rhythmically thrust the lower jaw forward & backward in an anterior - posterior direction with the mouth slightly open, rather like a cheeky schoolchild exposing the bottom lip
Hurts initially but should soon lead to relief

Exercise 3:

Separate from above exercises
6 exercises done 6 times each time, 6 times a day
Hold the front one-third of the tongue to the roof of the mouth & take 6 deep breaths
Hold the tongue to the roof of the mouth & open the mouth 6 times. The jaw should not click
Hold the chin with both hands, keeping the chin still. Without letting the chin moved, push up, down & to each side.
Hold both hands behind the neck & pull the chin in.
Push on the upper lip so as to push the head straight back.
Pull the shoulders back as if to touch the shoulder blades together
These exercise should be pain - free.

Exercise 4:

TMJ "REST" program:

RESERVED for an acutely painful TM joint.
When eating, avoid opening your mouth wider than the thickness of your thumb & cut all food into small pieces
Do not bite any food with your front teeth - use small bite - size pieces
Avoid eating food requiring prolonged chewing eg hard bread crusts, tough meat, raw vegetables
Avoid chewing gum
Always try to open your jaw in a hinge or arc motion. Do not protrude your jaq
Avoid protruding your jaw, eg talking, applying lipstick.
Avoid clenching your teeth together - keep you lips together & your teeth apart
Try to breath through your nose at all times.
Do not sleep on you jaw; try to sleep on your back
Practise a relaxed life - style so that your jaw & face muscles feel relaxed