What is TMJ and Can it be Treated? - Jake Hardin

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, also commonly referred to as TMD or TMJ, is known as the pain and compromised movement of the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

• The Temporomandibular joint is a hinge-like joint that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are by bottom of the earlobe. 

• This joint is a crucial component in allowing you to move your jaw in all directions, which gives you the ability to talk and chew. 

• More times than not TMJ is self-diagnosed because it is quite easy to determine if you are suffering from this dysfunction or not. 

Symptoms: To determine whether you suffer from TMJ you should be on the lookout for symptoms such as jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and clicking and/or locking of the jaw joint (which is by the lower part of your ear).

• You may also experience toothaches, headaches, muscle spasms, dizziness, shoulder pain, hearing problems, and ringing of the ears.

In Simpler Terms People May Experience: 

Pain areas: in the face, ear, jaw, or mouth 

Pain types: can be chronic 

Mouth: difficulty chewing or toothache 

Joints: crackles or tenderness 

What Causes TMJ?

No one really knows what causes TMJ, but dentists and other medical professionals believe symptoms occur simply due to problems with some of the muscles of your jaw and/or with some parts of the actual joint. However, there are some things that can increase your chances of getting this dysfunction:

• Clenching or Grinding your teeth, while awake or sleeping, puts an enormous amount of pressure on the joints in your jaw.
• Arthritis in the joint itself is another possible cause of TMJ
• Stress! Stress can cause you to tighten the different facial and jaw muscles, as well as clench your teeth.

Number of People in the US diagnosed:

This type of dysfunction is Very Common: There are more than 3 million cases in the United States alone, per year. 

• It is said that TMJ can either be temporary or last many years, and can affect one or both sides of your face/jaw. 
• It is also more common for women to get than men, and most cases involve people around the ages of 20 to 60 years. 

Treatments:

- The most common forms of treatment for TMJ include various medications like pain relievers, bite guards (made by your dentist), and physical therapy. 

• Medications can only do so much when it comes to preventing the locking of the jaw, so the best way to go about treating TMJ is by wearing a mouth guard at night, which can reduce the amount of times you experience this locking of the jaw. Physical therapy is also a great option because it can help teach you how to prevent these episodes of not being able to correctly chew and use your mouth.

             "Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ, TMD): Symptoms, Treatment and More." WebMD. WebMD, n.d. Web. 05 Apr.              2016.

                     

               "TMJ." - American Dental Association. American Dental Association, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.

             

               "TMJ Disorders." TMJ Disorders. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Aug. 2013. Web. 05 Apr. 2016.

http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd