Question

Is it possible to prevent tmj syndrome? How?

Answer 1

Yes, it is possible to prevent TMJ syndrome or more likely it is possible to reduce the symptoms associated with TMJ syndrome.

There are both home made remedies and medications for TMJ, some of them are

Home made remedies:

Becoming more aware of tension-related habits — clenching our jaw, grinding our teeth or chewing pencils — will help us reduce their frequency.

The following tips may help reduce symptoms of TMJ syndrome:

Avoid overuse of jaw muscles.

Eat soft foods. Cut food into small pieces. Steer clear of sticky or chewy food. Avoid chewing gum.
Stretching and massage.

our doctor, dentist or physical therapist may show us how to do exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles ourself.
Heat or cold. Applying warm, moist heat or ice to the side of our face may help alleviate pain.

Medications:

Along with other nonsurgical treatments, these medication options may help relieve the pain associated with TMJ disorders:

1) pain relievers and anti inflammatories

2) tricyclic Anti depressants

3) Muscle relaxants

Therapies

Non drug therapies for TMJ disorders include:

Oral splints or mouth guards (occlusal appliances). Often, people with jaw pain will benefit from wearing a soft or firm device inserted over their teeth, but the reasons why these devices are beneficial are not well-understood.
Physical therapy.

Along with exercises to stretch and strengthen jaw muscles, treatments might include ultrasound, moist heat and ice.
Counseling.

Education and counseling can help us understand the factors and behaviors that may aggravate our pain, so we can avoid them. Examples include teeth clenching or grinding, leaning on your chin, or biting fingernails.

If all the above treatments is not relieving the symptoms, surgical procedures will be preferred

Surgical procedures:

Arthrocentesis.

Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure that involves the insertion of small needles into the joint so that fluid can be irrigated through the joint to remove debris and inflammatory byproducts.
Injections.

In some people, corticosteroid injections into the joint may be helpful. Infrequently, injecting botulinum toxin type A (Botox, others) into the jaw muscles used for chewing may relieve pain associated with TMJ disorders.
TMJ arthroscopy.

In some cases, arthroscopic surgery can be as effective for treating various types of TMJ disorders as open-joint surgery. A small thin tube (cannula) is placed into the joint space, an arthroscope is then inserted and small surgical instruments are used for surgery.
Modified condylotomy.

Modified condylotomy addresses the TMJ indirectly, with surgery on the mandible, but not in the joint itself. It may be helpful for treatment of pain and if locking is experienced.
Open-joint surgery.

If your jaw pain does not resolve with more-conservative treatments and it appears to be caused by a structural problem in the joint, your doctor or dentist may suggest open-joint surgery (arthrotomy) to repair or replace the joint. However, open-joint surgery involves more risks than other procedures do and should be considered very carefully, after discussing the pros and cons.