TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, disorders are characterized as tenderness, pain and discomfort on either side of your jaw. The TM joint is located on either side of your face just in front of your ears, where your skull and jawbone meet. Certain vitamin supplements can help reduce the symptoms associated with TMJ either by affecting your muscles directly, or by treating the underlying causes of TMJ disorders. Vitamin supplements are not meant to replace traditional medical treatment for any condition, including TMJ disorders. Talk to your doctor before using any vitamins for TMJ. TMJ disorders are usually caused by a blow or an impact to your jaw, joint erosion and arthritis damage. However, muscle fatigue and muscle tension can cause TMJ disorders, especially if you habitually clench your jaw or grind your teeth. According to the book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," the most common underlying cause of TMJ disorders is stress, which causes your muscles to tighten and can force your jaw out of alignment.
Supplementing with B-complex vitamins can help relieve stress, which can treat the underlying cause of some TMJ disorders. According to the book "What to Eat for What Ails You," B-complex vitamins play a central role in maintaining healthy nerves and reducing stress that may cause teeth grinding and TMJ disorders. Taking 100 mg of each major B-vitamin several times daily can help alleviate stress. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant that helps your body combat stress and aids in the healing and repair of connective tissue that can be damaged if you suffer from TMJ disorders. According to Dr. Mark Allan Padolsky, vitamin C helps support collagen production, which supports your muscles around your TM joint. Taking 4,000 mg of vitamin C per day is effective in treating TMJ disorders. Vitamin E lubricates your joints, helping repair tissues and relieve symptoms of TMJ disorders. Vitamin E can also help repair blood vessels that surround your TM joint that become damaged due to excessive grinding and overuse.
According to Woman's Cancer & Disease Awareness, 1,200 mg of vitamin E daily can improve symptoms of TMJ disorders. Does Magnesium Help TMJ? TMJ: Foods to Avoid What Are the Treatments for Lockjaw TMJ? Medications to Treat TMJ Side Effects of Occlusal Splint Therapy Exercises to Relax Jaw Muscles TMJ Exercises for Jaw Popping TMJ Exercises & Physical Therapy Causes of Pain in Right Jaw & Ear Relaxing Exercises for the Lateral Pterygoid How to Exercise the Masseter Muscle Vitamin D Deficiency & Jaw Pain TMJ Exercises for Slipped Disc Exercises to Aid With Jaw Problems Neck Exercises to Relieve Ear Canal Pressure 3 Ways to Wear a Mouth Guard for TMJ Can the Temporalis Muscle Be Strengthened?neck and shoulder spasms. I experience jaw clenching (not grinding), neck and shoulder spasms at night. Along with this I have gum recession. My cholesterol has continued to go up and now, my triglycerides are high too.
My HDL continues to get lower as well. When I wake in the morning I feel like I have gone 20 rounds in a ring. Pain throughout neck, face, shoulders. This has progressively gotten worse over the past 3 years. Now the pain is daily and remains at a 10. I have seen many, many, doctors & dentists. My neurologist doesn't know what this is. He is checking me again for Lyme Disease. I have been treated with splints for 5 years with no relief. Now, a new TMJ specialist doesn't think I ever had TMJ!I just got a Vit D test back and it showed low, 29.8 mg/ml. While doing a search I ran across your site. Have you heard of the above symptoms being caused by low vit. TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome) is inflammation and tightness of the joint that connects the jaw to the skull.The ability to open the mouth completely can be hampered and the jaw can get “stuck” open or closed. Clicking each time when the mouth is opened is often a frequent symptom of TMJ.TMJ causes include any unusual pressure placed on the jawbone such as habitual gum chewing, grinding of the teeth, and misalignment of the teeth or jaw.
If TMJ is severe, it can even cause pain in the neck, shoulder and cause headaches.TMJ is frequently worse with stress where more grinding or clenching of the jaw may occur.The good news is there are natural TMJ treatment home remedies that are highly effective for fast relief.If you want to overcome TMJ, then following a mineral rich anti-inflammatory diet is essential:Foods easy to chew – While there is jaw pain, include foods that are easy to chew such as soups, stews, smoothies or cooked vegetables. Small meals – Eat small meals to help stabilize blood sugar. Fluctuations in blood sugar can increase grinding of teeth. Wild-caught fish – Omega-3s can help reduce pain and inflammation. Steamed vegetables – These foods are easy to chew and provide important nutrients for healing. Protein shakes – If you have difficulty chewing protein, try for a protein shake instead while the TMJ is flared. Magnesium rich foods – Magnesium is known as the relaxation mineral and can release tension in tight muscles.
Sugar – Increases inflammation and lowers immune response. Caffeine – May increases muscle tension by dehyrating the muscles. Alcohol – Increases teeth grinding at night. Gum or caramels – Any hard to chew candy can make TMJ worse. Tough foods – Be careful with any foods that are difficult to chew, like dry cuts of meat.#1 Magnesium (250 mg 2-3x daily) Helps relax the muscles and nervous system.#2 Calcium (500 mg 2x daily) Works with magnesium to aid in muscle relaxation.#3 Kava (70 mg 3x daily) Helps reduce anxiety and relax the muscles.#4 MSM (1000 mg 3x daily) A natural anti-inflammatory and reduces muscle spasms.#5 B-complex (50 mg 2x daily) Helps relieve the effects TMJ Natural Treatment Chiropractic care – When muscles in the cervical spine get tight it can also effects the TMJ. Chiropractic can help reduce this tension, reduce stress and improve TMJ symptoms fast.The best essential oils to relieve TMJ include peppermint oil, frankincense oil and lavender oil. Peppermint relieves pain, frankincense reduces inflammation an lavender relaxes the tense muscles.