This is stabilized by muscles that make it possible to open and close the mouth. Pain, discomfort, or tenderness in or around these joints is referred to as a TMJ disorder.
Within the temporomandibular joint there are moving parts that allow the upper jaw to close on the lower jaw. This is necessary for such actions as biting, chewing, talking, and yawning; which makes it one of the most frequently used of all the joints in the body.
Conditions from the disorder may be the result of a number of factors, such as an injury to the mandible or misalignment. This may also lead to a variety of symptoms; most commonly jaw pain, but also face pain, earaches, secondary headaches, and pain in the neck muscles.
Common signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders can include tenderness or discomfort in the face, mandible, and ear. There can also be discomfort when chewing or difficulty chewing in general.
Other symptoms may include headaches, painful clicking of the mandible, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, or locking jaw or teeth that do not come together properly while biting or chewing. The causes of TMJ disorders are controversial, and more research is needed to determine the exact causes.
Most experts do agree, however, that trauma to the jaw is one cause of TMJ disorders. Some experts also believe that anxiety, stress, and rheumatoid arthritis also play a role in TMJ disorders.
Even though there are no widely accepted tests for this, your dentist can do an examination by checking your muscles and joints for tenderness, popping, clicking, and difficulty opening and closing your mouth. Your dentist may also take x-rays and a mold of your mouth to see how your teeth fit together.
Since other problems, such as sinus headaches and earaches, can cause facial pain, it is a good idea to have your doctor rule out these problems. This issue may fall into one or more categories; including myofascial discomfort, internal derangement of the joint, and degenerative joint disease.
Myofascial discomfort is the most common, and is characterized as discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles. Internal derangement of the joint means there is a dislocated mandible or displaced disc.
Degenerative joint disease could be osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the mandible. Sometimes the symptoms of TMJ disorders will go away on their own.
If the symptoms persist, your dentist might recommend conservative treatments such as reducing stress, avoiding gum chewing and wide yawning, applying ice packs to the painful area, practicing jaw exercises, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. Some dentists may recommend more aggressive treatment, such as orthodontics or surgery.
For treatment of TMJ syndrome, acupuncturists may insert needles around the ear and the jaw, as well as near the elbows, knees, big toe, and other areas. While the number of acupuncture sessions necessary to treat TMJ may vary from patient to patient, the results may be remarkably long-lasting.
Through biofeedback training, you can learn to control your muscle tension and other body processes that are usually involuntary; such as heart rate and breathing. This can teach TMJ patients to stop unconsciously stiffening their mandible muscles.
By keeping your mandible muscles relaxed, you may eventually tame TMJ pain. Regular visits to a massage therapist can release muscle tension in your jaw, as well as help lower the overall stress that prompts TMJ pain.
You can also perform a simple self-massage that may also go a long way in soothing soreness. When you experience a TMJ-related ache, massage your mandible muscles with small, circular motions for at least two or three minutes.
For added relief, you can also try massaging the area with a wet, hot washcloth. If you think you have symptoms, you may want to schedule an appointment with your dentist to determine if you actually do require treatment.
Ignacio Lopez has authored hundreds of articles relating to oral health and dentistry. He recommendsdental implants Utah for your specialized dentistry needs. He has been a guest dental lecturer for over 15 years.
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Ignacio Lopez
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