How to Help Your TMJ Discomfort

 

TMJ

A diagram that explains TMJ discomfort

TMJ is estimated to affect 10 million Americans. A TMJ is more than just clicking or popping of the jaw. In fact, unless you experience pain with any clicking or popping it is completely normal to have clicking and popping of the TMJ.

What exactly is considered a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder? When do you need to seek help? Our goal is to help explain what the TMJ is, what some causes are of TMJ disorders, what the signs and symptoms are, and what type of treatment is available.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is where the lower jaw is connected to the skull. TMJ disorders can go unnoticed if you are unaware what contributes to a TMJ disorder. Things such as, jaw clenching and teeth grinding can overwork the joint causing the disc in the joint to wear down or even displace.

People do not typically realize they are clenching or grinding as many people do it in their sleep or unconsciously throughout the day. It is important if you notice yourself doing either that you make an effort to relax the jaw.

There are a wide variety of symptoms that indicate a person has a TMJ disorder. These include but are not limited to

  • Pain in the facial muscles, jaw joints, or around the ear. This can be painful when talking, chewing or yawning

  • Difficulty chewing or biting

  • Headaches, dizziness, ear pain, hearing loss, and ringing in the ears

  • Jaw locking, either wide open or locked shut

  • Popping and clicking of the joint that causes pain or discomfort

If you or your child have any of these symptoms always call your dentist to set up a consult. Your provider will be able to come up with a treatment plan to best fit your needs.

 

Once the joint is strained it can be easily re-injured (like a sprained ankle which is subsequently more prone to injury).The following suggestions will help:

  1. Apply moist heat for 20 min two to four times each day or use ice wrapped in a thin washcloth for 10 min two to four times each day( whichever feels best)

  2. Eat a softer diet

  3. Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth and separate your teeth to maintain the jaw in a relaxed comfortable position

  4. Avoid caffeine as caffeine is a muscle contracture

  5. Avoid resting your jaw on your hand

  6. Avoid stomach sleeping since this puts adverse forces on the jaw and neck muscles

  7. Use anti-inflammatory and pain reducing medications like Ibuprofen, Tylenol, or Aspirin

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Cited Sources

“TMJ Disorders (for Parents).” Edited by Kenneth H. Hirsch, KidsHealth, The Nemours Foundation, July 2015, https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/tmj.html.

“PDF.” Sept. 2017. https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2017-12/tmj-disorders.pdf

 
Dental Advice, The More You KnowTMJ, temporomandibular joint disorder