How to cure TMJ

Temporomandibular disorder affects the temporomandibular joint, or the jaw joint that lets you open and close your mouth. The joint is like a ball and socket, and you can feel it if you touch either sides of your mouth when you open it wide. The ball, in dental terms, is called a condoyle, and the socket is called the glenoid fossa.

Generally, dentists suggest a soft food diet for a TMJ patient. That's because TMJ patients have difficulty opening their mouth wide. With soft foods, the patient can avoid having to open his mouth wide in order to chew or bite the food.  This allows the jaw to rest and recover. Hard foods like raw carrots, roasted meat etc can necessitate having to open the mouth wide. Also, the chewing movements can worsen the condition. Some soft foods ideas include mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, smoothies, soups, fish, beans, grains, scrambled eggs and cooked vegetables and fruits. This soft food diet is not an overnight cure, but it may show effect within two to three weeks.

The dentist may also suggest splints that prevent the upper and lower jaws from coming together, thus preventing you from clenching your teeth. However, a splint must not be worn for too long. Your dentist will tell you how long the splint must be worn for good results. 

He may also suggest ice packs and applications of moist heat.

There are also some exercises you can do to relieve your symptoms. Place your left thumb under your upper front teeth, and then position your right index and middle fingers on top of your lower front teeth. Gently pull the jaw apart with the help of your hands. Remember not to pull your jaw muscles. In case your TMD requires some other exercises, your dentist will inform you of these.
Some other treatment options for TMD include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS. In TENS treatment, low-level current is used to treat the jaw joint and facial muscles. The current is used in a manner that relaxes the jaw joint and the facial muscles.

Ultrasound rays can be applied to the joint in case of soreness or in case the patient has a problem moving the jaw. Ultrasound treatments make use of high levels of heat to treat symptoms.
Non-steroidal inflammatory medications may provide relief, while muscle relaxants can help relieve the jaw muscles.  Clenching tendencies can be reduced by using anti anxiety medications.  Anti depressant medications can also be used to control pain.

Acupuncture can also help patients who suffer from TMD symptoms.

Trigger-point injection treatment involves injecting painkiller or an anesthetic into tender facial muscles. It is highly unsafe to employ any of these treatments without a qualified dentist performing it on a patient.
 
Restrict yawning and chewing. Lie on your back and avoid sleeping on your stomach.  Avoid screaming or singing, and take care not to separate your upper and lower jaw too wide.
However, if none of these work, then your dentist may suggest surgery.  Generally, TMD Is treated through arthroscopy which involves the use of video monitors, and open joint surgery which is more conventional surgery in which the jaw is cut open.