Can I Use Essential Oils to Find Relief from My TMJ Pain?

If you have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, then you may be well aware of the pain that is often associated with it. You may have been looking for ways to find relief and searched online for home remedies. This might’ve delved you into the world of natural medicine through essential oils. But many people wonder if these really do work when it comes to TMJ pain, so keep reading to learn more about what to expect.

Can Essential Oils Help with My TMJ Pain?

When you have TMJ disorder, it is often paired with discomfort in the jaw joint or in the muscles that control it. You may develop it through a myriad of reasons, such as stress, teeth grinding, or even your genetics.

Essential oils have been used for thousands of years because of their scents and various properties they have. According to the Elsevier Public Health Emergency Collection Journal, they have been used in clinical aromatherapy to treat a wide range of symptoms, such as pain, stress, and anxiety (to name a few).

In fact, a study conducted in 2016 found some beneficial use of essential oils, particularly lavender, in treating those with chronic neck pain. When using lavender acupressure and acupoint stimulation, in conjunction with conventional treatment, this group often reported a greater amount of reduced stress than their control counterpart.

The study gave way to using essential oils to help reduce pain associated with TMJ disorder while treating the root of the issue itself.

Why You Should Visit Your Dentist to Treat TMJ Pain

While the research above does mention that this popular remedy can help lessen the discomfort that you feel from your jaw joint, it’s important to remember that they are used with fixing the cause of your TMJ disorder in the first place. Essential oils shouldn’t be your primary solution, as they do not address the main issue and only give you temporary relief.

By visiting your dentist, they can work with you and find out what’s causing the problem. Through detailed imaging, they can confirm a diagnosis and then offer ways to treat it, whether that is with oral appliance therapy, BOTOX, or even a surgical procedure. These can help you get the long-lasting relief you deserve!

If you’re using essential oils to help you reduce any pain from your TMJ disorder, you shouldn’t use them as your only treatment. It’s always best to talk to your provider, as they are qualified in finding the root cause of the problem and helping you get the care you deserve.

About the Author

Dr. Kinnari Jariwala earned her dental degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. She had TMJ pain herself until she was finally able to make it stop. Dr. Jariwala has since completed many hours in continuing education, focusing on sleep and TMJ medicine. By helping find the cause of your discomfort, she can help you decide your next steps toward relief. If you want to learn more, schedule an appointment or call her office at (505) 433-2107.