TMJ disorders are a common oral health issue for American adults, affecting an estimated 12 million people nationwide, with females twice as likely to have the problem.
Left untreated, TMJ disorders can be serious, leading to long-term pain, problems chewing, or damage from teeth clenching and grinding, which is known as bruxism. When treated properly, TMJ disorders typically do not cause ongoing oral health issues.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
The appropriate medical term is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), but it is more familiarly known as TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joint, also known as the TMJ, connects your jawbone to each side of your skull near your ears. The two joints help you talk, chew, and move your jaw. TMJ disorders affect the joints in your jaw and the muscles around them.
The cause of TMJ disorder can be difficult to identify because the pain you initially experience is often the result of overlapping factors. TMJ disorder can include the following symptoms:
- Jaw pain, face pain, or pain in the neck and shoulders
- Stiffness in the jaw or locking
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Trouble opening or closing your mouth
- Headaches, migraine headaches, earaches, or ringing in the ears
- Tooth pain
What Are TMJ Causes and Risk Factors?
TMJ disorder can be caused by a range of issues, which can be a single issue or a combination of multiple issues:
- Jaw injury, such as a broken jawbone or dislocation due to a fall or other accident
- Teeth clenching or grinding (bruxism), especially during sleep
- Arthritis in the jaw
- A misaligned bite
- Stress that causes jaw tension
The following factors can increase your likelihood of experiencing TMJ disorder:
- Chewing on hard items or foods such as hard candy, ice, pens, or fingernails
- Taking large bites of food
- Using teeth as tools to open packages or remove bottle caps
- Daytime clenching
- Sleeping on your stomach
- Poor posture
You can lower your risk for TMJ disorder by wearing a mouthguard if you clench your jaw or grind your teeth. Wear a protective mouthguard if you play sports. Stand and sit with good posture. Reduce stress through exercise, deep breathing, or meditation.
How is TMJ Treated?
If you suspect you have TMJ disorder due to persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw that occurs suddenly or during jaw movements, or if your jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness does not improve after you have tried over-the-counter pain relievers, the best course of action is always an appointment with your dentist. He or she will discuss your pain issues, possible causes, and treatment options. Keep in mind, the causes often overlap, so it may take time to find the right approach for you.
Treatment depends on the severity of your symptoms. Most people are able to get relief using acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or by applying cold packs or moist heat with a warm washcloth. Other noninvasive treatments focus on relaxing your jaw muscles and improving jaw function, including the following approaches:
- Use of a mouthguard
- Physical therapy for your jaw
- Trigger point injections
- Ultrasound therapy to relax muscles
- Use of low-dose electrical current to ease muscle tension
In most instances, discomfort or pain related to TMJ disorder is temporary or lasts only for a limited time. Surgery is usually a last resort after other efforts to address your problem have failed.