If your jaw pain generates from muscle pain, tightness, or stiffness, heat compression will be a better option. Some pain patients may simply need a single daily icing while more severe sprains and strains may require multiple daily ice therapy applications. Remember, icing a sprained or strained jaw for longer than 20 minutes at a time is not recommended. If you go longer and more often, it may start to cause some damage. We generally suggest applying a cold compress to your jaw for 10 to 15 minutes at a time using a light layer between the compress and your skin. After 3 days, moist heat may be best, following the same schedule, for 1 week. How to use ice for reducing jaw pain?Īpply ice 3-4 times per day for the initial 3 days. On the other hand, heat can make jaw inflammation significantly worse. Using a cold compress or ice pack on a strained jaw muscle can also numb pain in the area. The cold constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation to the inflamed jaw area. Icing your jaw when you’re already shivering isn’t logical. This may be triggered by a recent sports injury, car accident, or dental trauma. When is ice best for reducing jaw pain?Īpply ice to your jaw if swelling or inflammation is present. In addition to heat or ice, some gentle stretching the jaw can help improve the pain. Generally speaking, ice therapy is more appropriate for new injuries, such as jaw sprains and strains, whereas heat therapy is typically better for treating chronic conditions. In some cases, both ice therapy and heat therapy have a timely role in the healing process. Not all jaw pain conditions require strictly ice or heat therapy. Treating an injury is best with a professional diagnosis. You may shorten a jaw trauma injury’s recovery time and help with chronic aches, pains, and stiffness by knowing when heat or ice for jaw pain is better. The knowledge of when to use heat or ice can make a significant difference. Ice helps decrease swelling and pain, while heat can increase blood flow and relax your jaw muscles. However, they do not treat causes of TMD pain. However, they do not treat symptoms of TMD. Yes! Hot and cold packs work to help alleviate TMD aches and pains people often experience. Let’s answer common questions about if and how hot and cold packs work to provide relief from jaw pain. If you don’t have a diagnosis yet and you’re at home or at work needing your jaw to stop hurting, you may reduce temporary jaw discomfort with the simple home remedy of applying hot or cold compresses. People with a temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ for short, are all too familiar with jaw pain. This may be a place to start but when more relief is needed in the long run – be quick to seek professional help. Many try to manage pain by using a home remedy. If you struggle with finding jaw pain solutions, you should know the risks if left undiagnosed and treated. TMD symptoms can be challenging to manage. Is Heat or Ice Better for Jaw Pain? Whether heat or cold will help you more may depend on the source of your jaw pain.
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