Four Key Points
What is TMJ?
The joints that make up the jaw are called the Temporomandibular Joints. These joints connect your jawbone to your skull, and allow for movement to help you chew and talk. When these joints don’t work properly, it can cause pain in your jaws and teeth, limit how far you can open your mouth or move your jaw from side to side. It can also cause headaches and migraines and dental issues, disrupting your day-to-day life.
Different Types of TMJ Disorders
The Temporomandibular joints are usually taken for granted, until they start causing discomfort. But really, they’re a delicate system comprising bone, cartilage, muscles and nerves in one of the most sensitive and crucial regions of the body, which when malfunctioning can potentially impact your eating and even hearing due to its location.
The different types of TMJ disorders can usually be distinguished according to 2 primary types of TMJ disorders:
- Those affecting the joint itself (arthrogenous TMD) and
- Disorders of the muscles that move the jaw (myogenous TMD)
How TMJ disorders can affect you
Some of the most common symptoms associated with TMJ disorders include:
- Pain and tenderness of your jaw (also clicking sounds)
- Difficulty or painful chewing
- Headaches
- Earache and tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Limited movement around your mouth and jaw, resulting in discomfort opening and closing your mouth
- Grinding and clenching your teeth
Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
There are several possible causes of TMJ, which may be related to genetics, inflammatory conditions such as arthritis or other bone conditions, fracture or other sustained injury, dental issues such as improper bite where one’s upper teeth might extend too far over one’s lower lip causing irritation, or muscular issues. Earache and tinnitus (ringing in the ear), as well as certain physical conditions such as sleep apnea are connected with TMJ disorder, and can at times be resolved by addressing the problems associated with the Temporomandibular Joint. Nerve injury or malfunction around the Temporomandibular Joint can also be quite painful, and can be greatly relieved with the right treatment.
Treatment Options Available
There are a number of ways in which you can treat the symptoms of TMJ disorder. It is best to consult with a medical professional to determine the best treatment option for you. But there are some basic steps that may help in the meantime.
- Relax your jaw and massage your head, neck, and face where it hurts
- Cut down on food that causes you discomfort, like crunchy and chewy foods. Foods high in fat, like ice cream or steak should also be avoided as these may exacerbate symptoms
- Practise good oral and sleep hygiene, and see a dentist if you need to
If these simple techniques don’t relieve your pain, it’s probably worthwhile to consult Dr. Vic Miller, who specializes in treating Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, for the quickest and most effective relief from your discomfort, which will enable you to get on with your life as quickly as possible.