The treatment of TMJ depends on the cause and severity of your problem. These treatments can range from using a mouth guard or medication or even surgery.
But natural remedies with essential oils are harmless and useful. [9] With essential oil home remedies and some good lifestyle changes, you can cure TMJ fast.
TMJ is short for Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome. It is an inflammation and tightness of the joint which connects the jaw to your skull. [1] [2] It causes your jaw to be locked in position or difficult to open. [7]
Some of the causes of TMJ include habitual gum chewing, grinding of the teeth or bruxism, and misalignment of the teeth or jaw.
This condition is frequently worse if you stress out the muscle where more grinding or clenching of the jaw may occur. [4] If your TMJ becomes severe, it can even cause pain in the neck, shoulder and cause headaches. [5]
The article reviews the efficacy and uses of essential oils for TMJ pain.
Best Essential Oils for TMJ Pain
The prognosis for TMJ pain is generally good because you can manage the disorder self-care and home remedies. Here are some of the best essential oils that can help you reduce TMJ pain.
1. Clary Sage
The clary sage essential oil comes from the clary sage plant that has a long history as a medicinal herb. It is widely used for increasing circulation, supporting the digestive system, improving eye health and fighting leukemia.
Clary sage essential oil is effective in relieving pain such as cramps, muscle spasm, and pain. This oil is very potent, and you should use it in small amounts.
Clary sage essential oil works as a pain reliever. It loosens the tension brought about by TMJ. For years it is used for purposes of easing pain and discomfort.
This herbal oil also works as a nerve tonic and sedative because of its soothing and warming components.
2. Valor Essential Oil
Valor essential oil is known to be the ‘courage in a bottle.’ It can boost courage. This essential oil can also relieve stiff muscles. It also stimulates your nervous system. This oil exhibits other healing properties as well. [10]
Rubbing a few drops of Valor essential oil on the stiff jaw can ease the tightness within no time.
Valor essential oil is an excellent tonic for people who suffer from jaw pain. It has mild, yet effective healing properties.
Massaging a few drops of Valor essential oil on your jaw will help you soothe jaw pain and stop it from coming back for at least a couple of hours.
3. Vetiver Oil
There are many multiple benefits of vetiver essential oil. The aromatic oil has a wide variety of uses. This oil has a fantastic fragrance that most of the perfume industry utilizes.
Vetiver essential oil is known for its detoxification properties. But it can also help you by treating your TMJ disorder.
This essential oil relieves muscle ache, joint pains, and stiffness of the jaw bone. Vetiver oil can also reduce the tension caused by TMJ pain.
This herbal oil helps with depression and insomnia. Using vetiver oil will make sure that you sleep well and get proper rest. Sound sleep is crucial during treatment of TMJ.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has recently gained a lot of popularity because of its multiple uses. This oil works as an antiherpetic, pain-reliever and anti-inflammatory agent.[11]
TMJ pain does not only comes from the tension. It also from the inflamed parts of the jaw muscles. Tea tree oil helps you reduce the inflammation.
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5. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil has varieties of uses. Among those uses, it is known for the treatment and relieving of pain.
Peppermint essential oil can cool the overworked muscles of your jaw because it has menthol in it. The analgesic qualities of menthol reduce TMJ Pain.
Peppermint oil has an uplifting effect on the body and mind. The sedative and analgesic qualities make it one of the best oils to cure muscle pains associated with TMJ. [12]
READ MORE: 12 Uses and Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil
6. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense Essential Oil can help to calm you down and ease anxiety.
The oil can reduce stress reactions and get rid of negative emotions associated with TMJ pain.
This herbal oil has been used for generations to ease muscle and joint pain. It also has analgesic properties that are helpful in relieving the pain caused by tension. [13]
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7. Helichrysum Oil
Helichrysum essential oil has been used in religious rituals as an anointing oil for many years. This oil can also provide comfort in the TMJ pain.
This herbal oil is popular in therapeutic massages. You can use it to detoxify your body especially if you have taken a lot of alcohol and nicotine.
Helichrysum essential oil can also reduce anxiety and depression associated with TMJ syndrome.
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8. Rose Oil
Rose essential oil has the superpower to heal your body and soothe the heart.
The word rose came from the Greek word rodon. It means red. The floral and feminine scent of roses relaxes your body if you suffer from TMJ pain.
Rose essential oil is the queen oil for grief and mourning because it can provide with emotional balance. [14]
This essential oil can comfort you in dark times of emotional pain and a massive shock. Thus the oil is useful in treating depression form TMJ pain.
Rose essential is a precious oil, and a little of it goes a long way.
If TMJ is messing us with your emotional balance, you should try smelling rose essential oil to seek comfort.
You can take a small drop in the palm and inhale. You can even smell it from the bottle. There is an energetics of the aroma of this oil, which itself is enough to relax your tensed muscles and help you to be at peace and connect with your inner voice.
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9. Lavender Oil
The lavender essential oil contains many health benefits that include the ability to eliminate nervous tension, disinfect the scalp and skin, relieve pain, enhance blood circulation, and treat respiratory problems.
The Latin name of Lavender is Lavare, which means “to wash.”[15]
This oil has a particularly pleasant aroma. It also has such versatile properties, and it is gentle enough to apply directly to the skin.
This essential oil can help in relieving headaches that are caused by TMJ.
TMJ pain causes lack of sleep at night. Using lavender oil helps curb insomnia. This oil boosts immunity for your body can fight all sorts of disease.[16]
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Causes of TMJ
Many issues can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome. Some of them include injury to the teeth, hurting jaw, misalignment of your jaw, teeth grinding, stress, arthritis, poor posture, and gum chewing. [5]
The temporomandibular connects your jaw to your skull. If this joint is injured or damaged by external or internal cause, it can lead to a localized pain disorder that is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.[7]
TMJ pain can occur if:
- Your disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment
- A blow or other impact has damaged your jaw joint
- Arthritis has damaged your jaw joint cartilage
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Excessive gum chewing
- Stress or anxiety,
- Arthritis and other inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders
- Poor posture
- Orthodontic braces[5]
When to See a Doctor
Visit a doctor if the essential oils don’t improve the condition and the following symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) persist:[7]
- Popping sounds in ears,
- Pain in the jaw joint,
- Locking of the jaw joint.
- Stiff or sore jaw muscles,
- Jaw clicking and popping,
- Ear pain/earache,
- Aching facial pain
- Pain in the temple area
- Headaches
Your doctor may diagnose the condition better and prescribe proper treatment options.
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Bottom Line
TMJ is also known as a temporomandibular joint disorder. Usually, women are more prone to TMJ syndrome than men. [8]
TMJ connects the lower jaw to your skull in front of the ear. Specific facial muscles which control chewing are also attached to your lower jaw. [6] When you get TMJ, you cannot open your mouth completely, and your jaw can get “stuck” open or closed. [3] It causes severe pain in the jaw joint. TMJ pain can cause head and neck pain, facial pain, ear pain, and headaches.
Many symptoms of TMJ pain respond well to home remedies for stress reduction and several relaxation techniques. Massaging the jaw with the essential oils mentioned above can provide temporary relief from the pain and discomfort of TMJ.
But if the pain gets unbearable, you should seek medical attention immediately.
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