Self-care is how individuals and families maintain their own health, prevent disease and cope with illness – without the support of someone else. [i]
For patients with chronic conditions, self-care is vital for recovery. It gets patients to adjust to a condition and also try to overcome it where possible.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a chronic pain condition that affects up to 34% of the world’s adult population. [ii] Patients with TMD should follow self-care practices to ease its symptoms and restore function to the jaw. Dental practitioners can empower TMD patients to take charge of their health by promoting self-care.
Certain behaviours may worsen pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). To stop this, dental practitioners should highlight the six steps of self-care:
Controlling diet is a form of self-care for TMD patients. Certain foods can aggravate the jaw by forcing the mouth to open as wide as possible. From apples to burgers, patients must avoid bulky foods or cut them into smaller pieces. For those reporting high levels of pain, soft foods are recommended to limit chewing. [iv]
TMD pain can manifest in two ways:
Patients should apply heat, such as a hot water bottle or a warm towel, when the pain is a steady ache. Heat increases the blood circulation and allows the jaw muscles to relax. For sharper pains, cold packs wrapped in thin towels are ideal. The coldness reduces inflammation and numbs the pain. [iv]
Whilst alleviating pain is vital for an improved quality of life, it does not stop the problem. Therapeutic exercises encourage mobility in the TMJ and lower the risk of dysfunction. [v] Performed from home, therapeutic exercises offer long-lasting benefits and increase patient compliance.
Self-care empowers patients by letting them choose the best time to complete their recommended exercises. Empowerment is important for TMD patients with depression or anxiety, and those who are often stressed. These conditions can increase the risk of clenching or bruxism, aggravating the TMJ. [vi] At-home solutions are ideal for these patients, allowing them to rehabilitate from the comfort and security of home. This may increase compliance.
Self-care is an extension of the professional care pathway – it is not being left alone to solve a problem. Patients should be advised on the minimum and maximum exercises needed for the best outcomes. Doing so reduces the risk of over-exercising and damaging the TMJ. With a thorough understanding, patients may also find that any fears or anxieties have been eased. [vii]
Patients affected by TMD should consider the OraStretch Press Rehab System from Total TMJ. Perfect for home use, the handheld device opens the mouth, mobilising the jaw and stretching the orofacial tissues. The simple design gives way to many therapy exercises depending on the severity of the condition. With the OraStretch, TMD patients can restore function to the jaw in an easy but effective way.
Promoting self-care gives TMD patients the best chance of overcoming the chronic pain and keeping the jaw active. Following the recommended programme of therapeutic exercises can improve a patient’s quality of life – they just need the right device.
For more details about Total TMJ and the products available, please email info@totaltmj.co.uk
[i] World Health Organization (2024). Self-care health interventions. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/self-care-health-interventions.
[ii] Grzegorz Zieliński, Pająk-Zielińska, B. and Michał Ginszt (2024). A Meta-Analysis of the Global Prevalence of Temporomandibular Disorders. Journal of clinical medicine, 13(5), pp.1365–1365. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051365.
[iii] Durham, J., Al-Baghdadi, M., Baad-Hansen, L., Breckons, M., Goulet, J.P., Lobbezoo, F., List, T., Michelotti, A., Nixdorf, D.R., Peck, C.C., Raphael, K., Schiffman, E., Steele, J.G., Story, W. and Ohrbach, R. (2016). Self-management programmes in temporomandibular disorders: results from an international Delphi process. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 43(12), pp.929–936. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12448.
[iv] The TMJ Association. (n.d.). Self Care. [online] Available at: https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/self-care/.
[v] Herrera-Valencia, A., Ruiz-Muñoz, M., Martin-Martin, J., Cuesta-Vargas, A. and González-Sánchez, M. (2020). Efficacy of Manual Therapy in Temporomandibular Joint Disorders and Its Medium-and Long-Term Effects on Pain and Maximum Mouth Opening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(11), p.3404. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm9113404.
[vi] The Relationship between Depression and Anxiety with Temporomandibular Disorder Symptoms in Dental Students. (2021). Maedica – A Journal of Clinical Medicine, 16(4). doi:https://doi.org/10.26574/maedica.2021.16.4.590.
[vii] Pimentel, Giovanna & Bonotto, Daniel & Hilgenberg-Sydney, Priscila. (2018). Self-care, education, and awareness of the patient with temporomandibular disorder: a systematic review. Brazilian Journal Of Pain. 1. 10.5935/2595-0118.20180050. Accessed via: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326911472_Self-care_education_and_awareness_of_the_patient_with_temporomandibular_disorder_a_systematic_review