If you have any of the following symptoms, consult your dentist, doctor or physical therapist for more information

• Pain in the TMJ. Worsens with talking, yawning, and/or chewing.
  
• Clicking. When opening and/or closing mouth widely.
  
• Locking of jaw when mouth opens widely
  
• Clenching or grinding teeth.
  
  These problems are often associated with TMD, although it is unclear whether they are causal or incidental:

• Headache
• Ear-ache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Muscular pain in neck and shoulders
  
  

• Learn to relax facial muscles during times of stress is crucial. Teeth clenching is often unconscious, try to be aware of what stresses you, and how you respond.
  
• Avoid fatigue. When you are tired it is harder to maintain good posture and relax jaw muscles.
  
• Learn to meditate. Even a couple of minutes a day will help reduce stress.
• Posture. Poor neck posture places the head and jaw in a poor position for normal movement, and contributes to jaw pain and headaches.
  
• Watch what you eat. Avoid chewing gum. Avoid very chewy foods (beef, bagels, etc)
  
• Tongue Position. Place the tip of your tongue just behind your front teeth, on the fleshy part, not the teeth. Let your jaw relax.
  
• Controlled opening. With your tongue in rest position, slowly open your mouth, only as far as you are able, without losing tongue position. Repeat 5 times, several times a day.
  
• Yawning. Try to keep the tip of your tongue in this same position when yawning. Limit motion by bringing your chin to your chest.
  
  Physical Therapy is a non-invasive method of managing symptoms of TMD. The goals of treatment are to decrease pain, muscle spasm, improve postural stability, and improve awareness of daily stressors that contribute to TMJ dysfunction.