Post-Operative Care Instructions for Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) and joint pain
1. What to Expect After Treatment
2. How to Take Care of Yourself After Treatment
- Chew on both sides to distribute loads on the joints and muscles.
- Practice good posture to reduce or prevent your neck and jaw pain.
- Be aware when you are clenching during daily activities such as driving, studying, computer work, reading, at work, stress or engaging in athletic activities. Keep your teeth slightly apart by puffing your cheeks as often as you can to relieve pressure on the jaw. Avoid tooth contact except during chewing and swallowing.
- Apply a moist heat pack on the painful area(s) for 20-30 minutes at a time, at least 2 times a day, with at least 10 minutes between applications.
- Apply an ice pack on the painful area(s) for no more than 5 minutes at a time, then pause for 2-3 minutes before applying it again, during the first day.
- Do the jaw exercise(s) as instructed.
- Take medications as prescribed.
- Wear an occlusal appliance.
3. What to Avoid After Treatment
- Excessive mouth opening e.g., yawning, yelling, laughing.
- Prolonged mouth opening e.g. long dental chair time, singing, praying.
- Move your jaw around excessively to assess click, pain or motion. Avoid habitually maneuvering the jaw into positions to assess its comfort or range. If a click is present avoid performing jaw movements to produce the click.
- Resting your jaw in your hand or holding your phone to your ear using your shoulders.
- Excessive chewing e.g. gum, nails, pen tops, your cheek or lip.
- Sleeping on your side or your stomach. Try to sleep on your back.
- High impact exercises especially to the jaws e.g. boxing, rugby.
- Hard, sticky or crunchy food e.g. pretzels, raw carrots, ice. Choose softer food and only foods that can be chewed without pain. Cut food into smaller pieces.
4. When to Contact the Clinic
Contact us if you experience worsening jaw pain, limited opening, splint damage or discomfort, jaw locking or clicking, or pain spreading to your ear, head, or neck.
5. How to Reach Us
If you have any concerns, questions, or complications following your treatment, please contact Kitcha Dental Clinic. Our staff will assess the urgency of your situation and prioritize appointments accordingly to ensure you receive timely care.
Contact Kitcha Dental Clinic:
Phone (Thailand): 053-200201 or 091-797-7888
LINE: nav.cx/5PmNyFR
WhatsApp: https://wa.me/66917977888
Facebook Messenger: https://m.me/kitchaclinic