Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Changing your diet
• Part 2 of 3: Move effectively
• Part 3 of 3: Natural remedies
• Tips

Jaw spasm is an informal term used to indicate that the mouth cannot be opened completely or that you have painful spasms in the jaw. Jaw spasm can cause pain, clicking noises and headaches. Jaw spasm is a common dental or medical complaint and can be treated quite easily at home - starting with Step 1!

To step

Part 1 of 3: Changing your diet

1. Eat more magnesium. This relaxes the muscles and calms the nervous system, so you deal with the muscle cramps in your jaw. It is also good for inflammation. Therefore, a diet rich in magnesium takes away the tension and inflammation in the muscles that can lead to jaw spasm.
   • Foods high in magnesium include almonds, flaxseeds, avocado, oatmeal, yogurt, corn, watermelon seeds, spinach, pumpkin, sesame seeds, peanuts, cashews, bananas, raisins, soybeans, cucumber, celery, bell pepper, broccoli, papaya and wheat. The recommended daily intake of magnesium is 320 mg for women and 420 mg for men.
   • Even water is a good source of magnesium.
2. Eat more calcium. Calcium makes the bones stronger. Calcium deficiency can lead to muscle spasms, also known as tetany. Eating foods rich in calcium will strengthen the jawbones and help you move your jaw muscles to prevent muscle cramps.
   • Good sources of calcium are milk, yogurt, cheese, almonds, oranges, sesame seeds, kale, black beans, sardines, dried figs, broccoli, bok choy and canned salmon. The recommended daily amount of calcium for adults is 1000 mg.
3. Get more vitamin D. It is necessary to get more vitamin D, because that is what the body needs to be able to absorb calcium. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to softening of the bones and pain in the bones. Vitamin D deficiency has also been shown to lead to temporomandibular joint disorders, which can lead to jaw spasm.
   • There are few natural sources of vitamin D, including fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and fish oil. There is a small amount of vitamin D in egg yolks, beef liver and cheese. Other sources are milk, margarine and dairy with added vitamin D. The recommended daily amount of vitamin D for adults is 600 IU.
4. Drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated as dehydration can also cause muscle cramps and weakened bones - drinking more water can be the solution for jaw cramps. Drinking water keeps your muscles and bones in optimal condition. Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
   • As mentioned before, water contains magnesium, which can also help against jaw cramps.

Part 2 of 3: Move effectively

1. Do yoga. Yoga is an ancient Indian science that works on both a physical and mental level.Jaw cramps caused by stress can be treated with yoga. Through this integrated approach to yoga you tackle the cause of the stress that causes the jaw cramp. There are several yoga poses that can help relieve jaw cramping:
   • Asanas such as "Adho Mukh Svanasana" (Head Down Dog) help to improve blood flow to the skull and temporomandibular joint. In this position, the body forms an inverted "V" position, with the hips towards the ceiling, the soles of the feet and hands on the floor.
   • "Salamba sarvangasana" (Shoulderstand) is a position in which the shoulders rest on a mat or blanket, while the whole body, supported by the hands on the lower back, is square to the ground, with the feet towards the ceiling.
   • "Viparita Karani" (Legs against the wall) is another position where you lie on the floor with the legs up against the wall. This position also ensures that more blood flows to the jaw joints.
   • Shavasana (Corpse Pose) is designed to relax the muscles. In this position you lie flat on the floor and consciously relax all muscles from head to toe.
2. Try sitting meditation. The best position to relax the temporomandibular joint is sitting meditation. Sit in a comfortable position and focus on relaxing your tongue. The tongue is often pressed against the roof of the mouth without us realizing it. Relax your tongue and your eyes, and you will notice that your upper and lower teeth will separate a little by themselves. Also relax the corners of the mouth.
   • These instructions are the first steps of "pratyahara," or internalization of sensory consciousness. It can be very helpful to learn to relax the jaw in this way, although it does take some practice.
3. Exercise your jaw. Movement plays an important role if you want to remedy jaw cramps. If you do it properly and regularly, it can relieve and prevent jaw cramps.
   • Start by relaxing and lowering your shoulders. Then relax your lower jaw so that your teeth don't touch. Relax your tongue.
   • Now warm up your jaw muscles by opening and closing the jaws and moving from side to side without the teeth touching. Open your mouth as wide as you can without it hurting.
   • Move your jaw back and forth as far as possible. Make the same movements on both sides and then relax.
4. Do the same exercises, but now with resistance from your hand. Press your fist against your lower jaw as you try to open your mouth, and hold your chin with your thumb as you try to move it forward, left, and right. Hold your jaw at its farthest point for a few seconds. Open your mouth as far as you can and then try to close it while pushing your lower teeth down with your fingers.
   • Look in the mirror and try to move your lower jaw straight up and down, without anomalies and without clicking noises. Do each exercise every day for at least 10 seconds.
5. Consider treatment using the TheraBite System. This is a portable device that treats jaw spasm by teaching the patient the anatomically correct jaw movement. Most therapies involve stretching the jaw, but these stimulate both correct stretch and correct passive movement to rehabilitate the jaw.
   • Research has shown that TheraBite exercises help with jaw spasms caused by cancer of the head and neck.
6. Always keep your posture right. It is important to have good posture all day long, especially if you work at a computer or sit at a desk for a long time. This helps to relax the muscles. Also, make sure you don't clench your jaw too hard and don't grind your teeth!
   • Don't sleep on your stomach, because that is harder on your jaw joints. If you have jaw cramps, try sleeping on your back.

Part 3 of 3: Natural remedies

1. Try mustard oil and garlic. Mustard oil improves circulation and garlic has anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, garlic also has antibacterial compounds that can fight infections that make the situation worse. A jaw that is not inflamed moves much more easily.
   • Saute 2 cloves of garlic in a teaspoon of mustard oil and let it cool. Apply this to the affected area two or three times a day.
2. Alternately apply cold and warm compresses to the jaw. This will help with pain and swelling from jaw cramping. For the warm compress, you can use a pitcher or a towel soaked in hot water, and for the cold compress, use an ice pack with a towel around it.
   • Be careful not to freeze your skin! Use each compress for 10 to 15 minutes and then alternate. Always keep a cloth between the compress and your skin.
3. Consider using St. John's wort oil. This contains flavonoids and xanthones, which makes it work against depression. The oil soothes the painful feeling and accelerates the healing of the sore muscles in your jaw. Rub the oil on the jaws, up to below the ears.
4. Try herbal tea. Herbal tea to relieve jaw cramps can be made from the following herbs:
   • Kava kava: This reduces anxiety and helps to relax if you suffer from jaw cramps.
   • Passionflower: This helps against anxiety, restlessness and discomfort from muscle tension and emotional stress.
   • Feverfew: this is good for pain and sore muscles.
   • Chamomile: this has a calming effect. It helps to reduce muscle soreness from stress.

Tips

• Don't take too big bites, because then your jaw will have to open too far and it can become overloaded. Avoid chewing large pieces of food. Take small bites.
• Research has shown that oral exercises can help people who have had a piece of the jaw removed or irradiated as a result of a tumor.