Introduction: TMJD Bite Block & Support

About: I'm an artist that resides in Los Angeles designing websites, animating cartoons, bellydancing in flash mobs, and dabbling in mental health peer advocacy.

Do you suffer from TMJ jaw pain? After watching a tip from Dr. Oz, and looking at the bite blocks offered on Amazon, I realized this very cost effective solution. All you need is a cork and a knife.

Supplies

  • Cork (wine bottle cork about 2" long is perfect)
  • Knife (Any sharp knife will do)
  • Medicine bottle (Optional container)

Step 1: Acquire the Cork

  • Find your cork. If you can't find one on hand, maybe it's time to purchase a bottle of your favorite wine.

(Image courtesy of randomhh from Pixabay.)

Step 2: Measure Your Best Size

  • See how far you can open your mouth easily, by using the cork to measure that distance with your finger. It's best if you can't actually fit the whole cork in your mouth because that way, you can create an incline on the cork with your next cut. This will allow you to progress wider and wider with your mouth.

Step 3: Cut the Cork on an Angle

  • When I first started cutting, I was actually thinking of cutting it straight, which of course is something you may prefer. However, I cut the cork on a 45% angle so that I can have an easier position on one side, and a challenging position further up. You may want to experiment with the angles you choose, especially if you have multiple corks on hand.

Step 4: Find a Container

  • Naturally, you will want to keep this cork as clean as possible. So a good container for it is essential. I am using an old prescription bottle, but you might already have clean containers, or a simple plastic bag at the ready. I hope this helps you with your TMJD pain.

Step 5: Use in Conjunction With Other Therapies

One of my favorite ways to do intra-oral massage is with the quick-start reference guide from Myofree. Honestly you really don't need the tool as much, but this guide is probably the best thing about this package which is also available from Amazon. Just remember to trim your nails before doing it, particularly for your thumbs and first fingers.


Please see my quora post about other ways to heal your jaw pain issues.