Ever feel so much pain and discomfort when you chew, in your jaw or in and around your ears? These are some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. TMJ pain is treatable, and one of the very effective and commonly used forms of treatment is with ice or heat application. In this article, I will show you how to effectively manage TMJ pain, by letting you in on the best forms of treatment that are readily available.
Ice or heat for TMJ pain – which is better? The short answer is that both of them are essential and go hand in hand to ensure you get quick relief. Some dentists agree that the best practices with moist heat and cold application are by doing them together, based on patient’s testimonies. These combined practices ensure your muscles are relaxed, and the area is numbed so you do not feel so much pain. They promote healing and gives you quick relief from TMJ syndrome so instead of using only one method, you should consider rotating both hot and cold on your face. How does this work? Keep reading to find out in detail and so much more.
Your best bets for daytime TMJ relief are LotFancy Reusable Hot Cold Pack for TMJ Pain Relief or Face Ice Pack by AllSett Health.
For nighttime TMJ pain use the specially designed TMJ pillows to provide proper support and alignment to your jaw, neck, and shoulders. We recommend the highly rated Envy TMJ Relief Pillow.
Table of Contents
How Does Heat Treatment For TMJ Work?
Heat treatment for TMJ pain works best with the use of moist heat, rather than applying direct heat on your jaw to avoid getting burned.
Heat application generally helps with improved blood circulation and doing that to your TMJ facilitates the circulation to that area. This goes a long way to help in muscle flexibility and relaxation, so you get relief from the pain caused by your jaw muscles.
How Does Cold Relieve TMJ Pain
Unlike heat therapy which increases the blood circulation, cold therapy is used with the aim of limiting blood flow to an area. This has proven to be an effective method of reducing inflammation and swelling in a joint.
Cold temperature is also known to interfere with nerve activity, thereby causing pain relief by numbing the area. So with the use of the cold application, you do reduce the pain greatly. It is a good way to relieve TMJ pain.
How Should I Apply Moist Heat Or Cold Packs To Treat TMJ?
It is best that you apply both the ice and heat in combination, rather than just opting for one. Some people get the best relief from TMJ pain by the application of both in combination with a few simple exercises too.
You should start with the application of an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth to the sides of your face and also your temple area. Wrapping the ice pack helps to prevent the area from being exposed to too much cold by direct contact. This practice reduces the spasms in your jaw muscles and causes numbness. Try applying the cold packs for about 10 minutes.
After the application of ice packs, you should consider doing a few simple stretching exercises like this one by following the steps below;
- Put your left thumb under your upper front teeth
- Place both your right index and middle fingers on your lower front teeth
- Using your hands and not your jaw muscles, gently pull your jaw apart.
There are other exercises that your dentist may recommend following the application of an ice pack. If you can, do well to see a physiotherapist to help with the exercises.
After the stretching exercises, you should end with the application of heat to the side of your face. Avoid using heat directly and only use moist heat.
Moist heat from a hot bottle wrapped in a damp towel will do. This is to prevent you from burning your face. Heat therapy works best when used for longer periods, so apply for as long as 20 minutes straight if you can, or you can split it up in bits and same goes for the cold application.
Best Moist Heat / Warm Compress For TMJ (Jaw Pain)
LotFancy Gel Ice Pack with Wrap for TMJ Pain Relief
Top Rated
In just 15 to 20 minutes increments for overall usage, you can soothe your pain and get quick relief.
Even though it is top as the best ice pack, it also has a hot gel pack so you can use both ice and hot interchangeably for the best results.
The facial compress has a great design that allows you to effectively apply the hot and cold compress directly at the source of pain without having to hold it there with your hand.
This is due to the hands-free design and it allows you to do other work while alleviating your pain. And yes, it’s the perfect fit for you no matter the size or shape of your head so you do not have to worry about that.
The strap is adjustable and can be shortened up to 27 inches, and loosened up to 30 inches.
I particularly love the way the ice pack feels on the skin. It is lightweight and really gentle on the skin, showing that it was made with your comfort in mind.
The gentle soothing feeling is thanks to its microfiber material. It is so comfortable you can even take a nap while wearing it.
The gel packs can be used more than once, and each time giving you great relief that is second to none. This is particularly useful because it saves you the stress and expense of having to make a purchase every time you need TMJ pain relief.
It comes with a 1-year warranty and money-back satisfaction guarantee.
This is a clear indication that what you purchase is a top quality product, and in the event that you buy something defective, or you are not pleased with the product which is highly unlikely, you will get refunds or a replacement as the case may be.
Pros
- Hands-free use of compress
- The perfect fit for your face size and shape
- Gentle on your skin and is lightweight
- Can be used more than once
Cons
- The cold doesn’t seem to last for very long
Face Ice Pack by AllSett Health
Runner-up
So whether you are going through pain due to TMJ syndrome, wisdom tooth extraction, oral surgery or any other form of pain in your face, this is an excellent companion for you and is sure to bring you quick relief from your symptoms.
Your warm compress comes ready for use. It is also easy to use as all you need do is insert the soft gel into the wrap, and get fast relief as you put it on.
Your movement and activities do not have to be restricted due to its use because unlike traditional methods of applying warm compresses, you can put the Bodyprox on and utilize its hands-free design.
Now you can do other useful and productive things with your time as you get relief.
No matter the shape and size of your face, this warm compress will fit perfectly. It isn’t magic but as a result of great design. You can adjust its size until it is your perfect fit and then use comfortably.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Soft gels are reusable
- Adjustable strap for your perfect fit
- Has a hands–free design
- Built-in pockets to hold soft gels
Cons
- It could stay cold for longer time
Conclusion
So Is Ice Or Heat Better For TMJ Pain?
Both ice and heat applications activate processes that help give relief for your TMJ pain.
When used individually, the results are remarkable as they both do one thing – soothe the pain. But when used together, the combination is a synergy that is fast-acting, long-lasting and gives you amazing results.
So for the best relief from TMJ pain, use both hot and cold packs of either the LotFancy Reusable Hot Cold Pack for TMJ Pain Relief or Face Ice Pack by AllSett Health.
For nighttime TMJ pain relief use the specially designed TMJ pillows to provide you the proper support and necessary alignment to your jaw, neck, and shoulders. Go for the highly rated Envy TMJ Relief Pillow with its Off-Your-Jaw Design.
