After jaw treatment
After jaw treatment the jaw, temple or the area around the ear may feel sore for 1–2 days. Biting often feels different as the muscles look for a new pattern. Eat softer food for 24 hours, avoid clenching your teeth and apply heat to the jaw angle in the evening.
The treatment is done externally, through the cheeks and the jaw angle — I do not use intraoral treatment.
What is normal after jaw treatment
- Soreness in the jaw, temple or the area around the ear for 1–2 days
- Biting feels different
- A headache on the evening of the treatment
- A feeling of a blocked ear
- A mild feeling of swelling at the jaw angle
The first 24 hours and eating
Do
- Eat softer food for 24 hours
- A warm towel on the jaw angle in the evening
- Keep the tongue relaxed against the palate, teeth apart
- Notice grinding when going to bed
Avoid
- Hard foods for 24 hours, for example nuts, raw carrots, chewy bread
- Chewing gum
- Yawning with the mouth wide open
- End ranges of the jaw
- Clenching your teeth together
Why the jaw muscles react sensitively
The jaw muscles are small and exceptionally densely innervated. They react to treatment more sensitively than large limb muscles, which is why the soreness is felt more clearly.
The temporomandibular joint is also one of the most active joints in the body — it moves all day while speaking, eating and swallowing. Soft food during the first 24 hours reduces the load exactly when the muscles are looking for a new position.
One thing worth observing in the evening
In the evening, notice whether your teeth are touching each other. At rest the teeth should be apart and the tip of the tongue lightly on the palate. For many people, simply paying attention to this reduces night-time clenching.
When to send a message
- The jaw locks or does not open normally
- The soreness gets worse instead of decreasing within three days
- A new clicking or a feeling of locking appears that was not there before
- The headache continues for several days
Frequently asked questions about jaw treatment aftercare
How long does the jaw stay sore?
Typically 1–2 days. The jaw muscles are sensitive, so the soreness may be felt more clearly than elsewhere in the body.
Why does biting feel different?
The muscles look for a new pattern after the treatment. The sensation usually settles within a few days.
Is a headache after the treatment normal?
A passing headache on the evening of the treatment is common, because the temporal muscle and the jaw muscles are closely linked to headache mechanisms. If a headache continues for several days, send a message.
Is the treatment done inside the mouth?
No. I treat the jaw muscles externally, through the cheeks and the jaw angle. I do not use intraoral treatment.
Can I use a bite splint after the treatment?
Yes, continue normally according to your dentist's instructions. The treatment does not replace the splint but complements it.
Does heat or cold help?
Heat. A warm towel on the jaw angle in the evening relaxes the jaw muscles and increases circulation in the area.
Read more about the treatment
TMJ and jaw joint treatmentExternal treatment of the jaw joint and the jaw muscles, including dry needling.