Hi,
first off, make sure that your teeth never come together in a resting position. Use your tongue if you have to to keep teeth the apart (you didn't say if you clench your teeth so I am guessing here). You should get checked out by either your doctor or dentist just to make sure there is nothing wrong. If they say you are just a tight or stressed person, welcome to the 21st century. You could ask for some valium or similar drugs to take at night but that's not a long term treatment plan.
Or my number one suggestion is either physical therapy or massage therapy with someone who works with the cranial sacral or face and neck. Pt should not only do things like ultrasound and massage but have you do certain exercises. If you go to a good mt, they are wonderful, but you will need to research on the internet for face exercises and do them at home. I can't describe how to do the ones I do with words, sorry, but there are some good websites.
There are some pressure points along your jaw line that you could massage on yourself. It can really help but another person doing just seems to work better.
there are also things like trigger point injections (in the face & neck) and accupuncture.
And lastly, you might want to consider a bite splint, which might help relax muscles but that is a decision you and your dentist should make.
I do have tmj symptoms and pain, but before I did, I was very tight in the face muscles especially across my chin/jaw line. I contributed it to the fact that my lower jaw is too small and I have to work at closing my mouth. It doesn't close unless I make the chin muscles work harder than they should have to so they are almost always sore and were even before tmj. You don't want tmj.
I hope I gave you some helpful suggestions. Let me know how it goes.
God bless...
Carol
