Technically, TMJ stands for temporomandibular joints, or the two joints connecting your lower jaw to your skull. But if you suffer from TMJ, you know the initials really stand for jaw pain and other problems associated with those joints. Magnesium, a mineral which helps muscles relax, may help with your TMJ. Ask your doctor whether taking nutritional supplements like magnesium fits in with your overall strategy for controlling this often maddening problem.
Condition
Symptoms of TMJ include headaches, jaw pain, earache, toothache, hearing problems, trouble chewing and a locking or popping of the jaw. Some people are born with poorly aligned jaw joints, while others develop the TMJ after an injury. Teeth-grinding, orthodontia or cartilage problems can also lead to TMJ. The pain and dysfunction may appear sporadically, or can severely disrupt your life.
Use of Magnesium
Your doctor may suggest magnesium to help your muscles relax, lowering the stress on your jaw joints. Magnesium deficiency may lead to poor muscle function, notes the National Institute of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Magnesium and calcium supplements may work in concert to help TMJ, because doctors link both minerals with muscle-relaxing properties. Recommended amounts vary. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that a daily total of 250 mg magnesium represents a standard dose for people suffering from TMJ, but Northwestern Health Sciences University suggests people with the condition take between 300 and 800 mg.
Considerations
According to UMMC, the efficacy of using magnesium to ease the symptoms of TMJ remains largely anecdotal. No major studies currently exist to support the ability of either calcium or magnesium to target clenched jaw muscles. It's also important to avoid taking too much magnesium or to use it while on certain medications. Magnesium supplements may either lower the effectiveness of certain prescription drugs, or increase the risk of side effects. UMMC urges caution for people taking blood pressure medication, antibiotics and osteoporosis medications, among others.
Alternatives
Ask your physician about other therapies in addition to, or instead of, magnesium supplements for TMJ. Prescription pain relievers or muscle relaxants may help, as may surgical procedures to realign your jaw. Lifestyle changes that help some people with TMJ include chiropractic adjustments, using large pillows and mouth guards at night, eating soft foods, avoiding caffeine and gum, and adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet. Helpful supplements other than calcium and magnesium to relax jaw muscles include cartilage-building nutrients such as vitamin C or glucosamine. UMMC notes that the herbs lobelia and cramp bark may also provide muscle-relaxing relief when used as tinctures rubbed onto the jaw line.
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