Temporomandibular Joint Troubles
Articulation disorders can occur for different reasons. They are very often caused by excessive muscle work, teeth grinding or clenching of the jaws. The most common symptoms are pain, crackles when opening (or closing) the jaw, noises during mastication, limited mouth opening (or blocking) or even headaches and ear pain.
You should consult a dentist in order to establish a diagnosis. In the meantime, relieve the pain by applying ice on the joint. Eat soft and easy to swallow foods. Take anti-inflammatory over-the-counter Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). Avoid chewing gum. Relax your jaw and gently massage the area.
In the first 24 hours, it is best to apply ice to reduce inflammation. Subsequently, you can apply heat to relax the muscles and diminish the pain. You can also combine both. Apply ice for 15 minutes, then do some exercises by slowly opening and closing your jaws a few times. Then apply a hot compress for 15 minutes. Repeat 3 times a day.