TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects the jawbone to the skull. The temporomandibular joint is a complex joint that allows you to move your jaw up and down, side to side, and forward and backward. The joint is composed of the temporal bone of the skull and the mandible or jawbone.
TMJ disorders (TMD) are a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. These disorders can be caused by several factors, including injury to the jaw, teeth grinding or clenching, stress, arthritis, or misalignment of the teeth or jaw.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders can include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw joint, face, neck, or shoulders
- Difficulty or discomfort when opening or closing the mouth.
- Clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Headaches
- Earaches or ringing in the ears.
There are several treatments available for TMJ disorders, including:
- Self-care: You can try some simple self-care measures to relieve TMJ symptoms, such as eating soft foods, avoiding chewy or hard foods, applying heat or ice packs to the affected area, practicing relaxation techniques, and avoiding activities that cause jaw pain.
- Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can help relieve TMJ pain. Muscle relaxants may also be prescribed to help ease muscle spasms.
- Dental treatments: If your TMJ disorder is caused by teeth grinding or clenching, may be recommended a mouthguard or oral splint to help reduce the pressure on your jaw joint.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help improve jaw mobility, reduce muscle tension, and strengthen the muscles that control jaw movement.
- Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct a structural problem in the jaw joint.