|  | Dental Health | Dental Disorders

Symptoms of TMJ Condition

A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a painful condition that occurs in 5 to 15 percent of Americans according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The Institute also found this condition is found more often in women. Once diagnosed, symptoms are treated at home with a procedure to make the TMJ disorder disappear and prevent future occurrences.

  1. Symptoms

    • A TMJ disorder presents symptoms of tenderness and pain in the jaw near the joint and around and in the ear. Many times the ear pain is the first symptom and may feel similar to an ear infection. The jaw will make a grinding noise or pop repeatedly. At times the jaw will lock and create difficulty when talking and chewing. The bite may seem uneven, with the top and bottom jaw not lining up correctly. Headaches and aches in the facial area are common.

    Cause

    • The temporomandibular joint is a series of tendons, muscles, and bones and is a triangular area located in front of the ear. A problem with one of the components will create the disorder. Grinding or clenching teeth puts wear on the TMJ joint, which eventually will create pain in the jaw and ear. Most grinding and clenching of teeth is done unconsciously during sleep, however stress will also cause this to occur. Dental work that changes the bite or alignment of the teeth may cause the TMJ disorder to appear. This is common with dental braces in teenagers. Injury to the jaw also causes trauma to the TMJ joint.

    Diagnosis of Symptoms

    • A dental and medical exam is conducted to diagnose a TMJ disorder. An oral exam will diagnose grinding and clenching of teeth as wear is visible on the teeth. Damage to the jaw is diagnosed through an x-ray or a CT scan. In some cases an MRI is needed to evaluate the tissue areas.

    Treatment

    • Patients that grind or clench teeth are prescribed a bite guard which is worn at night. The guard keeps the teeth aligned and jaw separated. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as naproxen, do not relieve much pain in the area but are prescribed to relax the jaw. In some cases muscle relaxants may also be prescribed. The physician or dentist will supply exercises to stretch the muscles in the jaw and relieve pressure on the TMJ joint. Hot or cold pack treatments reduce pain and relax the jaw muscles. When stress and behavior is the cause, therapy to control these actions is necessary for relief. In some cases surgery is required when other treatments do not work.

    Prevention

    • To prevent TMJ joint disorders, don't overuse the mouth and jaw. Eat soft foods and cut up large or tough foods to lessen the chewing. Do not crunch on hard candies and foods that cause stress to the jaw. Maintain correct posture, which also include the neck and head. Keep the jaw slightly separated and muscles relaxed.

Dental Disorders - Related Articles