TMJ Help Program

It’s amazing how such a small part of our anatomy can bring on a world of pain. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the lower jaw to the head, depends on a network of bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and other anatomical necessities for the whole to operate smoothly – and without pain. The TMJ allows us to open and close our mouths, which in turn, translates to eating, speaking, yawning, singing, making facial expressions … many of the things we do with our mouths we don’t normally think much about. But when one or more of the TMJ’s components gets out of whack, that’s when things can get painful. Who Gets These Disorders? Although men do suffer from the symptoms, of the 5-to-15 percent of people in the United States who experience temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs), studies have shown that around 90 percent of those are female. Researchers have suggested magnesium deficiencies, hormonal fluctuations, even the way women process pain signals, among other reasons, as to why women tend to be far more prone to TMDs than men, but in truth, no one really yet knows for sure. Common Symptoms Pain and/or clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth are the most common complaints with TMDs. Pain or tenderness can be felt in or around the ear, neck, face, and in the joint itself and may be expressed as headaches, earaches, even shoulder aches. Because some symptoms don’t readily appear to be related to the joint in question, TMDs often go undiagnosed or inaccurately diagnosed with the problem never being adequately or properly treated. Other symptoms include popping or clicking noises when the mouth is opened or closed, and sometimes the jaws actually lock wherein the sufferer is unable to either open or close the mouth at all or with great difficulty. Treatment Fortunately, a range of treatments exist for TMDs with surgery employed only as a last resort. Learning how to change certain behaviors such as grinding the teeth (bruxism), clenching the jaw muscles and chewing on hard objects or food (pencils, ice, etc.) may be recommended. Additionally, massage and stretching exercises can be taught to help alleviate or eliminate the pain. Heat, cold (ice packs) and over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed. Bite plates and night guards can be made by your dentist to also help by aligning your bite and to prevent bruxism that occurs when you’re sleeping. Other treatments also exist, depending upon your dental professional. Who Treats TMJ Disorders? Not all dentists treat TMDs.