If the pain persists for more than 36 hours, use a heat pack instead of a cold pack, following the same routine as you did when applying cold. The heat increases blood flow to injured tissues and helps them heal, Dr. Andrews says. Toss the nuts. Avoid nuts, steaks, hard candies, caramels, and other chewy or crunchy foods when your jaw hurts, Dr. Andrews suggests. Unplug the coffeepot.
Caffeine increases muscle tension and makes the nervous system more sensitive to pain.
So steer clear of coffee , teas, colas, chocolate, and other caffeine-laden beverages and foods if your jaw aches, Dr. Stay recommends. Stoke up on C. Take vitamin C supplements. They ll help your body repair connective tissue surrounding the jaw and hasten healing, Dr. Stay says. She recommends taking 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily. Use your noggin .