How to relieve Rheumatoid arthritis jaw pain

Controlling the disease itself will help reduce RA jaw pain. Typically, doctors prescribe medications to help prevent tissue damage and slow the disease from progressing.

Medications that reduce inflammation, such as steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can reduce painful inflammation in the jaw and elsewhere.

Because RA medication generally slows down or stops the progression of RA, it also reduces symptoms and can prevent permanent joint damage.
Prescription medications can include:

1. corticosteroids
2. disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
3. biologic medications, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors (TNF-alpha inhibitors)

Certain jaw exercises may also help to relieve the symptoms. Speak to a doctor about the best types of exercises to do and when to do them, as overusing the jaw can make symptoms worse. Always warm up the jaw muscles first to prevent injury.

A rheumatologist may also refer a person to an oral medicine specialist to evaluate and manage TMJ pain.

Home remedies can help with the immediate symptoms of jaw pain. However, home remedies alone are not enough to treat RA. Even with mild symptoms, prolonged inflammation can still lead to permanent tissue damage, so it is important to keep taking prescribed RA medication.

People can use the following methods to help relieve RA jaw pain at home:

1. applying a hot or cold compress
2. eating soft foods or switch to a liquid diet for a few days
3. avoiding crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods, such as nuts, croutons, caramel, and gum
4. avoiding opening the mouth too wide during flares
5. avoiding clenching the jaw
6. wearing a mouthguard at night. Mouthguards are available for purchase online.