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Does TMJ Go Away? Here’s What You Need to Know

Quick Answer: Sometimes TMJ Goes Away, But Often It Doesn’t Without Treatment

Mild TMJ pain may improve on its own, especially if it’s caused by temporary stress, minor jaw overuse, or a short-term habit like chewing gum excessively.

👉 But if your TMJ pain has lasted more than a couple of weeks, keeps coming back, or is interfering with daily life, it usually won’t go away on its own. At that point, getting treatment is the best way to find lasting relief.

When TMJ May Go Away on Its Own

  • Mild stress-related clenching – Jaw pain may fade when stress decreases.

  • Short-term overuse – Things like eating chewy foods or chewing gum often cause temporary irritation.

  • Minor flare-ups – Sometimes the muscles around the jaw calm down after rest, heat, or gentle stretching.

In these cases, symptoms may last a few days to a week and then resolve.

When TMJ Usually Does Not Go Away on Its Own

If your TMJ pain is tied to deeper causes, it usually lingers or worsens without treatment:

  • Chronic clenching or grinding (bruxism)

  • Poor posture and neck tension

  • Bite alignment issues

  • Arthritis in the jaw joint

  • Jaw or neck injuries

These underlying issues don’t just “heal themselves” — they need help.

What Makes TMJ Pain Go Away Faster

The fastest way to calm down jaw pain is to treat both the symptoms and the root cause. Helpful strategies include:

  • Applying heat or ice to reduce pain

  • Avoiding hard or chewy foods

  • Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce clenching

  • Improving posture to ease jaw and neck strain

  • Seeing a physical therapist for hands-on treatment and corrective exercises

Why Physical Therapy Is the Best First Step

While splints, Botox, and medication can all play a role, physical therapy is often the easiest and fastest way to lasting relief.

A physical therapist can:

  • Release tight jaw and neck muscles with manual therapy

  • Teach you jaw mobility and posture exercises

  • Help you avoid flare-ups with lifestyle changes

  • Coordinate care with your dentist or doctor if needed

Best of all, PT is usually covered by insurance, making it one of the most affordable ways to treat TMJ pain.

So, Does TMJ Go Away?

Sometimes. But if your jaw pain keeps coming back, lasts for weeks, or interferes with your daily life, it’s unlikely to fully go away without treatment.

👉 The good news: TMJ dysfunction is highly treatable, especially with physical therapy.

If you’re in Glen Allen, Henrico County, or Richmond, VA, our clinic specializes in helping patients just like you get back to eating, talking, and living without jaw pain.

Next Step Toward Relief

Don’t wait and hope the pain goes away on its own. Take the first step toward lasting TMJ relief:

Daniel Ballou