TMJ Pain Causes

 TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint. This is the joint located on either side of the head where the jawbone meets the skull. Jaw pain resulting from a disorder in this joint is referred to as TMJ pain, or simply TMJ. 

Since this joint controls the jaw, it gets a lot of work. We use it when we speak, eat and sometimes, even when we breath.

Since the temporomandibular joint is so active, any disorder that causes tenderness or pain can range from inconvenient to annoying to maddening.

TMJ pain is often caused simply by "stressing" the joint. It could be a simple as biting too hard on something, trying to chew something that's unusually tough, or even opening your mouth too wide during a yawn. Pain can occur when the muscles and ligaments are stretched, or when blood vessels in the area break under duress. Orthodontic braces that fit poorly can also trigger TMJ problems

People who grind their teeth at night, typically because of a stressful life, are especially prone to TMJ pain.

Symptoms of TMJ

If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may have a TMJ disorder.

• an uneven bite.
• pain when you bite
• pain while chewing during meals,
• difficulty moving your jaw,
• unusually severe headaches,
• pain in the areas around the ear,
• facial pain,
• tenderness of the jaw,

Some TMJ disorders can be identified by listening for a clicking sound or grinding sensation when you chew your food. If you don’t have any difficulty chewing food, then you probably don’t have to worry about TMJ.

But if you're experiencing pain or discomfort, you doctor or dentist may suggest x-rays.

Who's Gets TMJ Pain?

TMJ pain affects a relatively large number of people: approximately 10 percent, according to studies by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Research recently has revealed that women are more likely to develop TMJ pain than men.

TMJ disorders are most common among people between the ages of thirty and fifty. Certain disorders seem to be related to TMJ disorders. These include clenching of the jaw, excessive teeth grinding, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, jaw trauma, or congenital deformity of many of the facial bones. Certain structural problems with the teeth sometimes result in TMJ pain.

Treatment

Those who suffer from TMJ usually don't require extensive treatment, but this is not true in all cases. Extreme TMJ pain can call for dental or even surgical procedures.

As a general rule, if you have any long lasting pain in your jaw or mouth you should go to a doctor or a dentist. Depending on the nature of your situation, you may need to work with more than one medical specialist for your TMJ pain and symptoms. These might include such as your primary care provider, a dentist, or an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Certain medication may help ease the pain. These include acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol) or brands of over-the-counter brands of ibuprofen. Other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxant medicines or antidepressants may also be helpful. But be sure to talk to your doctor or dentist about these.

In certain rare cases, corticosteroid shots may be appropriate to treat inflammation.