The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull on each side and joins the upper and lower jaws. The abbreviation for the temporomandibular joint, which is quite a mouthful, is TMJ, and this same term is often used as a non-clinical shorthand for disorders of the temporomandibular joint. These TMJ disorders cause pain or discomfort in the joint and the muscles that support and help control the movement of the jaw. People get TMJ disorders for a variety of reasons, including genetics, injury, arthritis, or a combination of these things. In most cases, however, people who get TMJ disorders habitually grind or clench their teeth, often unconsciously. This condition of chronic clenching and grinding is called bruxism, and it occurs most commonly while people are sleeping or when they’re awake but in a stressful situation. While bruxism is the main cause of TMJ disorders, many people who have bruxism never develop TMJ disorders at all – but it’s the first question your dentist will ask.
Treatment for the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorders depends on the cause, but it’s often possible to manage TMJ disorders with treatments that can be administered at home, like night guards to protect the teeth during sleep or stress-reduction techniques. While these non-invasive methods are frequently successful, when they don’t work, surgical treatments will be considered. In some specific cases, however, like when there is a genetic defect in the shape or size of the bone, surgery might be the preferred holistic treatment for TMJ disorders and other symptoms the malformation might elicit.
If you open and close your mouth, you can tell that your temporomandibular joint is an efficient machine, combining hinging and sliding movements with a wide range of motion. The bones that support this movement are lubricated with cartilage and separated by a gelatinous disk that cushions force and keeps movement comfortable and fluid. Temporomandibular joint disorders can happen if the disk deteriorates or shifts position or if the cartilage is compromised because of arthritis, and they are also likely to arise if the jaw is injured by a force or a blow. These underlying issues increase the likelihood of TMJ disorders arising, and various factors also elevate the risk. When a person with bruxism has any of these underlying conditions, there is a greater chance that that person will get a TMJ disorder; this may explain why some people with bruxism never develop TMJ disorders.
There are a few common symptoms of TMJ disorders, and it is generally considered uncomfortable if not downright painful. Pain can appear in the jaw, in either or both of the jaw joints, and it can radiate from the jaw into other areas of the face, head, and neck. This can manifest as a toothache or earache, and it can even interfere with a person’s ability to turn their head, open their mouth, or swallow. If your TMJ pain persists for more than a few days, or if it interferes with your ability to function, see your doctor or dentist as soon as you can for treatment and relief, and to learn how to keep it from happening again.