3 Tips for Easing Jaw Pain
Anyone who’s woken up with it knows that jaw pain is no joke. Because the joint that controls jaw movement, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is so complex, it’s difficult to diagnose one root cause for jaw pain and makes it tricky to treat. The pain can stem from many issues including stress, trauma, a worn joint, dental conditions, an uneven bite, bruxism, sleep disorders, and more. Before you turn to invasive treatments, here are some simple at-home treatments you can try to reduce and prevent flare-ups of jaw pain. USE HEAT AND ICE ON THE AFFECTED AREA. Your jaw pain may be a result of inflammation, so putting a warm washcloth or pad on the area and alternating with ice may reduce the pain. Taking an anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen can also be helpful. PRACTICE RELAXATION TECHNIQUES. Methods like the “goldfish exercise” and the “yawn-sigh” can ease tension in the jaw. For the goldfish exercise, keep your tongue on the roof of your mouth, put one finger on your jaw joint, and put another finger on your chin. Drop your draw, bring it back up, and repeat. For the yawn-sigh, open your mouth as big as you can, take a big yawn, and stretch your jaw muscles as you tighten your shoulders. As you exhale, relax all your muscles, and repeat.
GET A MASSAGE Massaging your jaw muscles may help relax them and ease tension. You can also turn to a certified massage therapist who will gently and effectively manipulate areas that are overused or stiff. Some people also find relief through acupuncture. Did you know Livingston has a resident jaw-pain-relief pro on our team? Her name is Shelbi, and she’s a TruDenta therapist trained in diagnosing and treating jaw pain and headaches related to dental issues. Her treatment plans incorporate massage therapy, cold lasers, and alpha stimulation to give you jaw-pain and headache relief. Livingston is one of the only dental clinics in the state to provide TruDenta, and our office is eager to educate others about the life- changing effects this treatment can have. Call our office today to learn more and see why many of our patients — including Dr. Livingston — are TruDenta fans.
Puzzle Time! Homemade Corned Beef Ingredients
Inspired by Food Network
• 8 cloves garlic • 8 whole allspice berries • 12 whole juniper berries • 2 bay leaves, crumbled • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger • 2 pounds ice • 1 5-pound beef brisket, trimmed • 1 small onion, quartered • 1 large carrot, coarsely chopped • 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
• 2 quarts water • 1 cup kosher salt • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 2 tablespoons saltpeter (potassium nitrate) • 1 cinnamon stick, broken into large pieces • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds • 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
Directions
1. In a large stockpot, combine water, garlic, and all herbs and spices to make brine. Cook over high heat until salt and sugar are fully dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in ice. 2. Once water temp reaches 45 F, place brisket in a 2-gallon zip-close bag, pour in brine to cover, lay flat in a large container, and store in fridge. 3. Brine for 10 days, checking daily to make sure brisket is fully submerged and brine is stirred. 4. After 10 days, remove brisket from brine and rinse under cool water. In a large pot, cover brisket, onion, carrot, and celery with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and gently simmer for 2 1/2–3 hours. 5. Remove, slice across the grain, and serve.
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