If you have jaw pain when chewing, especially if an earache accompanies it, you may have TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain.) Our research has shown that TMJ pain can be caused by a jaw injury or teeth grinding. According to the Mayo Clinic, your TMJ may have come from another TMJ trigger, such as arthritis in the jaw joint. The most severe pain of TMJ may prompt some sufferers to seek a pain management specialist.
People who notice the signs of TMJ should report them to their dentist or doctor. If your TMJ is not treated, it can lead to long term effects of TMJ, such as limited function of the jaw. In some cases, it can lead to a sleep disorder. Some clients report frequent headaches, including migraines. Treatment can range from anti-inflammatory medication to a mouth guard, worn at night.
Clients who prefer holistic treatment plans may ask about holistic TMJ treatment. According to The Healthy, options can include gentle massage from your dentist, hot and cold compresses, or adding magnesium to your diet. If you wonder what to do for TMJ flare ups, according to Take Home Smile, many of the same conservative measures can be effective.
TMJ, or the joints that attach your jaw to the bottom of your skull, are incredibly complex in their movement, acting as sliding hinges that allow a wide range of varying motion, from the up and down motion of yawning to the side to side movement of chewing. If you have pain in this area though, you’re probably well aware of all the ways your jaw normally moves. All that motion can lead to plenty of painful reminders that something isn’t quite right. If you suspect TMJ pain to be the culprit behind your misery, read on to learn more about symptoms, causes, and your options for finding relief.
Signs of TMJ Disorder
If you are experiencing pain around the jaw and wondering if it’s more than just a temporary ache, here are other symptoms you might also experience:
- pain when chewing
- earaches
- stiff jaw muscles and/or facial pain
- a clicking or popping sound when moving the jaw
- the feeling of the jaw locking into place
- headaches
Know that TMJ pain is more common in women than men. Additionally, the presence of a popping or clicking noise alone when moving the jaw is not a sign of TMJ disorder; the accompaniment of pain, caused by swelling or inflammation in or around the joint, is a key symptom.
Causes of TMJ pain
So what’s the origin of all this pain? The potential causes can be anything from injury to the jaw, teeth grinding or jaw clinching, or poor posture. Arthritis or connective tissue diseases can also cause injury to the cartilage or joints around the jaw and lead to TMJ.
TMJ Treatment
Often, TMJ resolves itself over time, but if twiddling your thumbs while in pain doesn’t sound like your idea of a good time, a treatment plan can speed up the healing process. Your doctor might recommend a number of basic treatments starting with an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine. In other cases, a mouth guard worn at night, gentle massage, or moist heat be in order. If these more conservative efforts prove unsuccessful, surgery might be something your doctor discusses with you.
To head off TMJ conditions at the pass, don’t be a stranger at your dentist’s office. Twice a year routine visits should help your dentist catch any potential TMJ issues before they become a painful problem.
