TMJ

What is TMJ?

Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your skull to your jawbone. This joint is located on each side of your jaw and makes it possible to open and close your mouth smoothly. You use temporomandibular joints when you open and close your mouth to chew and speak.

TMJ disorders happen when your temporomandibular joint — comprising your jawbone, muscles, joints, cartilage, and shock-absorbing disks — is not functioning correctly. TMJ results in jaw pain that can be severe.

Symptoms:

If you have TMJ, you are likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms associated with this condition:

• Pain near the temporomandibular joint
• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Pain in the face or neck
• Pain or difficulty while chewing
• Locking of the temporomandibular joint
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• Earaches
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Upper and lower teeth misalignment
• Jaw clicking or popping

Causes

It is unclear what causes TMJ disorders, but more than 10 million people may be affected. The potential risk factors for TMJ disorders include:

• Disk erosion or misalignment
• Arthritis that damages cartilage
• A blow or blunt force to the temporomandibular joint
• Jaw dislocation
• Grinding teeth
• Misaligned teeth and jaw

How can I ease the symptoms of TMJ?

When you have TMJ, specific activities like chewing can be a painful experience. Here are several things you can do on your own to ease the pain:

• Eat soft foods
• Avoid extreme jaw movements
• Use ice or heat as needed
• Practice muscle relaxation techniques
• Practice jaw stretches
• Avoid chewing gum
• Don’t bite your nails

How is TMJ treated?

Common TMJ treatments include:

• Medications to relax muscles and ease the pain
• A night guard to eliminate teeth grinding and jaw clenching
• Jaw strengthening and stretching exercises
• Physical therapy
• Cold laser therapy (low-level light energy that aids in healing)
• Ultrasound therapy (sound waves that reduce pain and inflammation)
• Electric muscle stimulation