When you open and shut your jaw, you are using a joint called the temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the side of the skull (temple) to the jaw (mandible). Inside the joint is a small disc of cartilage that separates the bones so they can move easily without causing pain. If something goes wrong with this joint, you may have a condition known as TMJ, TMJ Pain, or TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorder).
To locate your temporomandibular joint, place your finger against the triangle on the front edge of your ear, then move your finger forward just a little bit. When you open and close your mouth, you’ll feel the joint shifting. Over 10 million people in the United States have TMJ problems. Both men and women report TMJ symptoms, but the majority are pre-menopausal women.
TMJ Symptoms
The most common symptom of TMJ is pain. The pain may be dull or sharp, and may seem to be focused in the jaw joint, near the joint on the face, or in the ear. Some people with TMJ have no pain but have difficulty opening or closing the jaw joint. Other symptoms include:
• Pain in the neck or shoulders
• Migraines or chronic headaches
• Stiffness in the jaw muscles
• Locking of the jaw or limited movement in the jaw
• Clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
• Change in “bite” so the teeth seem to be lining up differently
• Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
• Dizziness or vision problems
TMJ Causes
In most cases, TMJ pain occurs because the disc of cartilage in the joint has moved out of position and is no longer cushioning the bones correctly. The popping sound may be caused by the cartilage snapping back into position. Many cases are the result of damage to the joint which may be caused by:
• Trauma or injury to the joint
• Grinding the teeth
• Chewing gum excessively
• Stress
• Poorly positioned teeth or an improper bite
• Arthritis
Treating TMJ
Most people with TMJ report relatively mild symptoms, or symptoms that come and go. Many TMJ problems clear up on their own without treatment. Try this simple home therapy to ease TMJ symptoms:
• Eat soft foods to rest the muscles and joints
• Do not chew gum
• Avoid clenching or tensing the jaw muscles
• Use moist heat to help relax the muscles
• In case of injury to the jaw, apply ice packs soon after the injury to reduce swelling
• Short-term use of pain medications if approved by your doctor
In more severe cases, a splint may be recommended to prevent wear and tear on the joint and to improve the alignment of the teeth, or surgery may be required. If symptoms do not clear up in several weeks or months, talk to your healthcare provider.
TMJ Research
Diagnosing TMJ can be difficult and confusing. There is currently no standard test to correctly identify all TMJ conditions. Adding to the confusion, TMJ symptoms often overlap with other conditions including chronic fatigue syndrome, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and vulvodynia. Research into the overlap of these conditions is underway, but has not revealed any significant findings to date.
Sources:
American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
The TMJ Association
National Institute fo Dental and Craniofacial Research