What are some ways to alleviate minor tmj in a 13 year old?

See a dentist: Tmj disorders occur for multiple reasons, and it would be best to have your dentist evaluate the various symptoms and potential causes and determine the best way to help reduce the problem for the child.

Some other ideas: Definitely see the dentist as previously suggested if these ideas don't help. Often in kids the issue is excessive gum chewing. If that is relevant, try having them discontinue or radically reduce the amt. Of gum being chewed and see if that helps. In the same vein, have them avoid chewing really challenging things like beef jerky or thick crusted bread. If symptoms persist, get it evaluated!

Start with:: Soft diet, no chewing gum, nsaid's and warm, moist heat message. Make sure you have it checked out by someone who treats a lot of TMJ patients to see if there can be anything done now to make sure this isn't the beginning of a life long problem.

Check occlusion: Very often malocclusion is causative of or contributory to TMJ dysfunction. Failure to treat malocclusion will result in "minor" problem becoming major. Someone once defined "minor" to me as someone else's problem. See an orthodontist now. Any therapy other than eliminating the cause is just symptomatic relief and will allow continued joint deterioration.

Complex problem: Same principles as an adult. . Self treat with soft diet, jaw exercises, massage, heat/cold, OTC pain meds. A splint or physical therapy would be next. Occasionally muscle relaxants, biofeedback. Xrays are done for diagnosis. Surgery usually reserved for serious symptoms not responsive to other treatments.