TMJ Problems and Treatments
Most people don’t think much about their jaw until it begins to hurt. Maybe you hear a clicking sound when you take a bite, or your jaw feels tight or sore after eating a meal. Perhaps you wake up in the morning with inexplicable headaches. Annoying at first, these usually worsening symptoms become more painful and harder to ignore. They often relate to the temporomandibular joints, or TMJ.
What is the TMJ?
TMJ disorders are surprisingly common. If someone says “I have TMJ!”, the problem actually refers to the temporomandibular joints, the pair of hinges that connect your lower jaw to your skull. These joints sit on each side of your face, just in front of your ears.
Temporomandibular joints do far more work than most people realize. Every conversation, every yawn, every bite of an apple, and every laugh depends on them moving smoothly. In fact, you use them hundreds of times a day without giving them a second thought.
Trouble begins when the joints, or the muscles and ligaments around them, become irritated. Dentists call this a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Sometimes it develops gradually. Other times, the pain seems to appear overnight.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
There is rarely a single cause for a TMJ disorder. Instead, jaw pain develops over time as the joints and muscles experience repeated strain. A few of the most common culprits of this excess jaw strain include:
- Grinding or clenching of teeth (often during sleep)
- Injuries or trauma to the jaw
- Arthritis in the jaw joint
- Chronic stress
- Excessive gum chewing or nail biting
A combination of these reasons usually leads to the TMJ disorder. An evaluation of your health by a dental professional is a critical part of finding the causes and effective therapies.
The Effect of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders don’t just cause jaw discomfort. Over time, they affect your overall health. When your jaw doesn’t move properly, simple activities like chewing become uncomfortable. This leads to favoring one side of the mouth when chewing, placing uneven pressure on the teeth. This results in enamel wear, tooth fractures, uneven gum recession, bite misalignment, and then loose or sensitive teeth. Pain during eating can even affect a person’s diet, leading to eventual nutritional deficiencies.
Nighttime clenching and grinding are also associated with some TMJ disorders, disrupting sleep and causing morning headaches and jaw pain. As previously mentioned, teeth grinding (also called bruxism) may also lead to a TMD. There is also research indicating that psychological stress may be a major factor in both of these issues. Either way, untreated TMJ disorders cause ongoing and increasing muscle inflammation and fatigue, and joint wear that negatively impacts daily life.
Common TMJ Problems
The symptoms of a TMD usually vary from person to person. Some patients notice just one symptom, while others deal with several that come and go or gradually become more noticeable over time. These are some of the common symptoms:
- Jaw soreness or persistent pain
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- Recurring headaches or migraines
- Pain around the ears or face
- Discomfort or pain while eating or chewing
- A jaw that locks or catches when attempting to open or close the mouth
- Muscle tension in the neck or shoulders
- Worn, chipped, or fractured teeth due to day/night grinding
- Change in how the upper and lower teeth meet when chewing
Please note that many of these symptoms are a feature of other dental conditions, so an accurate diagnosis is the first step to understanding the root cause of any oral health problem, including a TMD.
Treatment Options for TMJ Disorders
Fortunately for individuals suffering from TMJ disorders, there are conservative treatments available that alleviate most symptoms. All patients benefit from a thorough examination and consultation with one of our dentists before beginning any treatment. Based on the consultation results, recommended treatments include:
- A customized night guard for teeth grinding
- A non-invasive procedure to correct a bite misalignment
- Specific exercises to improve jaw function and range of motion
- Eliminating habits or changing lifestyle choices that contribute to excess strain on the jaw
- Stress-management techniques
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Restorative dental treatments that strengthen teeth and repair jaw damage
Patients respond to treatment differently, so what works for one patient may not work well for another. Nevertheless, there are many therapies and options available thanks to the extensive study of this common oral health issue.
Act Now If You Have Jaw Pain!
Jaw discomfort isn’t something you have to learn to live with. The sooner TMJ symptoms receive attention, the easier it often becomes to prevent additional wear on your teeth, to relieve unnecessary pain, and to protect your oral health. For the dentists at Paramount Dental, research and experience are behind the treatments we recommend for a TMD. Therefore, the road to a cure starts with a consultation.
If you are suffering from a TMJ disorder, or if it’s simply time for your next dental checkup and cleaning, contact Paramount Dental today. We are dedicated to helping all our patients protect their smiles, improve their comfort, and keep their oral health on the right track. Appointments can be scheduled in person, online, or by phone.