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TMJ disorders - Prevention

Alternative Names

TMD; Temporomandibular joint disorders; Temporomandibular muscle disorders

Prevention:

Many of the home-care steps to treat TMJ problems can prevent such problems in the first place:

  • Avoid eating hard foods and chewing gum.
  • Learn relaxation techniques to reduce overall stress and muscle tension.
  • Maintain good posture, especially if you work all day at a computer. Pause often to change position, rest your hands and arms, and relieve stressed muscles.
  • Use safety measures to reduce the risk of fractures and dislocations.
  • Reviewed last on: 1/10/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine and David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Also reviewed by Jack D. Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Rosenberg's review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

References

American Dental Association. TMD/TMJ (temporomandibular disorders). Available at: http://www.ada.org/public/topics/tmd_tmj.asp.

Beuscher JJ. Temporomandibular joint disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76(10):1477

Hampton T. Improvements needed in management of temporomandibular joint disorders. JAMA. 2008;299(10):1119-1121.

Scrivani SJ, Keith DA, Kaban LB. Temporomandibular disorders. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:2693-2705.

TMJ Disorders. National Institute of Dental or Craniofacial Research. Bethesda, MD. 2009 Feb 11. NIH Publications No. 06-3487. Available at: www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/TMJ/TMJDisorders.htm

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