What are some other ways to help get rid of TMJ?

Never chew gum.

The mouth guard won’t make you stop clenching, it is to protect your teeth so you don’t damage them by your clenching and/or grinding. I have been grinding my teeth for about two years now, and while I think it gets better when I am less stressed, it hasn’t really gone away. The best thing for you to do is talk to your dentist and see what your prognosis is. And keep wearing the guard!!

I used to grind my teeth years ago, and looking back it coincided with a very stressful time in my life. I think it lasted for only a few years, and I just stopped. I didn’t see the dentist about it, but I probably should have. For you, it’s probably worth continuing to wear the guard, as well as try alleviating stress and generally trying to stay as healthy as possible, if you don’t already. Hope it gets better for you because I know how much it sucks!

I was diagnosed with TMJ last year. Obviously cutting down on chewing and not chewing things that require you to open wide can help. I also saw a chiropractor and that that helped a lot.

Another thing I personally noticed was that when I would keep my mouth open, even a like a millimeter, it would greatly reduce the pain in my neck and jaw.

I think eventually you body subconsciously learns little tricks that help keep it under control, as I have noticed the pain in my neck has slowly gone down to where its only a rare occurrence now.

I know in extreme situations they can do surgery, but I hear that can do more harm than good.

Hope that helps.

i have only felt pain 1 or 2 times tops. its never hurt me before

@404cassie – If you have TMJ problems and you are clenching or grinding at night (note: you don’t have to be, but seeing as your dentist gave you a mouth guard, it seems as though s/he thinks you may be), you don’t necessarily have to feel pain. I don’t, I just chipped a tooth one night. Bruxing (grinding) can wear away the enamel on your teeth and lead to all sorts of problems. Like chipped teeth. You don’t want that to happen. Keep wearing the guard.