Temporomandibular joints, also known as TMJ’s, are the joints and jaw muscles that work together to allow you to open and close your mouth. TMJ disorders, such as temporomandibular joint disorder/dysfunction (TMJD), can cause jaw pain and make eating and talking difficult.
TMJD Causes
TMJ pain can be linked to a number of different reasons such as genetics, arthritis or jaw injury.
Additional causes may include:
- Wear and tear of jaw joints or muscles, and/or the condyles cartilage that is used when you open and close your mouth
- Teeth damage
- Poor jaw alignment
- Overuse (Chewing gum, biting or chewing on random objects such as pens, pencils, straws, bottlecaps, etc., biting the cheek or lip)
- Jaw infections
Often, those who suffer from jaw pain tend to unknowingly clench their jaw or grind their teeth. However, not everyone develops TMJD due to these reasons.
TMJD Symptoms
- Jaw pain or tenderness
- Pain in one or two temporomandibular joints
- Ear aches and pain
- Locked jaw
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth, chewing, talking and yawning
- Facial pain
- Headache/migraines
- Toothaches
- Uneven bite
Sometimes, TMJD can cause a clicking sound or grinding sensation when you use your jaw joints and muscles. However, if there is no pain or limited range of motion coupled with the noise, it is unlikely you have TMJD.
TMJD Treatment
Seeing a chiropractor can help minimize your aches and pains associated with TMJD.
During treatment, the chiropractor will examine your medical history to learn how long you’ve been experiencing TMJD symptoms and whether you’ve had a recent jaw injury or dental work. They will feel your jaw while you open and close your mouth, noting any noise or limited range of motion. Afterwards, they will press on your jaw and face to locate the areas of discomfort, check your bite and/or do an x-ray if necessary before treating your whole body- your symptoms and conditions.
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