What Is TMJ Disorder? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

When you experience pain in your jaw, a clicking noise when you are chewing, or a stiffness in your mouth when you open it, you could be having TMJ disorder.

TMJ refers to temporomandibular joint. It joins your jawbone to your skull and acts as a hinge enabling you to talk, chew and yawn. The joint may cause pain and discomfort. Luckily, TMJ pain has numerous successful treatments.

In this article, we will simply describe TMJ disorder, its causes, symptoms, and the most effective methods of treatment and prevention.

What Is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder or TMD is a condition that arises when the jaw joint fails to work correctly. It is capable of causing pain in the jaw, face, or around the ears. There are those who experience slight discomfort that disappears on its own, and others also have chronic pain that makes it hard to eat and talk.

How the Jaw Joint (TMJ) Works

Temporomandibular joint is a small yet strong joint. It enables the jaw to move up, down and sideways. The joint has a cushion-shaped disc that makes it move easily. When the disc slips out of position, the joint is damaged or the muscles around it are tight the joint is not able to work and this results in TMJ problems.

TMJ Disorder is commonly caused by the following

TMJ disorder is seldom related to one cause. Rather, it may grow out of a number of problems, including:  

- Trauma or injury - an accident or abrupt blow to the jaw.  

- Teeth grinding (bruxism) - in most cases it is associated with stress or sleep issues.  

- Arthritis- wear and tear of the joint with time.  

- Misaligned bite - teeth are not aligned and create additional tension on the jaw.  

- Stress and tension - grinding the teeth without knowing it.  

Symptoms and Signs You should not ignore

TMJ disorder is not the same in all people, but the symptoms include:  

- Jaw pain or ear pain.  

- Clicking, popping or grinding of the jaw.  

- Stiffness or the feeling that the jaw is stuck.  

- Temples or headaches

- Pressure in the temples.  

- Chewing pain or inability to open the mouth wide

- Pain during chewing or when opening the mouth wide.  

You should visit a dentist or a specialist in case you observe these symptoms frequently.  

Diagnosis of TMJ Disorder

To find out whether you have TMJ disorder, your dentist or doctor will:  

- Inquire of your medical history and symptoms.  

- Examine how your jaw moves  

- Hear clicking/popping in the joint.  

- Image tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans should be used when necessary.  

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Modifications

Simple home care may be sufficient in mild TMJ pain. Try the following:  

- Use heat or ice - heat loosens the muscles, ice decreases swelling.  

- Soft food intake- do not chew gum or hard food.  

- Do jaw exercises - light exercises relieve stiffness.  

- Train in stress reduction - attempt deep breathing, yoga or meditation.  

- Sit straight - sitting up lowers the pressure of the jaw.  

These tips are useful, but they might not be sufficient

Medical Treatments and Therapies

In case self-care does not help to relieve your pain, professionals can recommend:

- Drugs - painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs or tranquilizers.

- Physical therapy- exercises that tighten and loosen jaw muscles.

- Counseling or stress management - to decrease clenching and grinding.

These are non-invasive methods that are usually very effective in TMJ pain.

Dental and Surgical Options

Dental techniques can be used when the problem is caused by the bite or tooth alignment:

- Mouthguards or splints- put on at night to prevent grinding.

- Orthodontics - to fix the bite.

- Injections or surgery - Only in serious cases when other treatment methods have failed.

Surgery is infrequent and is typically the last option.

Tips to Prevent TMJ Problems

Not every TMJ disorder is preventable, although healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk:

- Do not chew gum or bite nails.

- Loosen the jaw and do not grind your teeth.

- Sit well when sitting at a desk.

- See your dentist on a regular basis to prevent early jaw issues.

When to Consult a professional

See a doctor or dentist if you:

• The pain in your jaw just comes and it does not leave.  

• Your jaw locks or feels stuck.  

• You experience headaches or ear pain when you move your jaw.  

• You have difficulty opening your mouth, talking or eating.  

Get Relief with Diagnox TMJ  

Jaw pain is frustrating to live with, however, you do not need to go through it alone. In Diagnox TMJ we provide individualized TMJ pain treatment procedures that alleviate pain, enhance jaw movement and restore comfort.

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