TMJ dysfunction (TMD) causes discomfort and soreness in your jaw joints and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them. Teeth grinding, arthritis, jaw injuries, and general wear and tear are all potential causes. TMJ treatment differs by individual and may involve physical therapy, medication, bespoke mouthguards, and jaw surgery. Consult an orthodontist in Fullerton, CA, for more.
What exactly is TMJ dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunctions are disorders that affect your jaw joints and the muscles and ligaments surrounding them. These diseases can result in various problems, such as jaw discomfort, headaches, and trouble opening and shutting your mouth.
These problems are sometimes referred to as TMJ. However, “TMJ” refers to your jaw joint, and “TMD” refers to temporomandibular joint disorder. The temporomandibular joint disorder is another term for this condition.
TMJs (temporomandibular joints) are located right in front of your ears on either side of your face. TMJs link the lower jawbone to the skull and aid in actions such as chewing and speaking.
TMJ dysfunction affects between 5% and 12% of the adult population. Women and persons assigned female at birth (AFAB) are twice as likely as males and those designated male at birth (AMAB) to have the disorder. TMD is most common in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
Causes of TMD
Like any other joint, the TMJ can suffer from orthopedic issues such as inflammation, aching muscles, strained tendons and ligaments, and disk difficulties. TMD is also known to be impacted by heredity, gender (women tend to be more susceptible), and age. Physical and psychological stress can both play a role. Jaw discomfort may be associated with a more broad, painful medical illness such as fibromyalgia in some circumstances.
Symptoms and signs
- Clicking sounds
When opening or shutting the mouth, some persons with TMD hear a clicking, cracking, or grating sound emanating from the TMJ. The disk inside the joint moving generally causes this. Someone standing nearby might be able to hear it. According to research, one-third of all people have clicking jaw joints. Therefore, clicking by itself is not a major symptom. TMD might be indicated if the clicking is accompanied by discomfort or reduced jaw function, such as the jaw becoming “stuck” in an open or closed posture.
- Muscle pain
This may be felt in the temples (temporalis muscles) and the cheeks (masseter muscles), home to the two major pairs of jaw-closing muscles. If you wake up with discomfort and stiffness, it is likely due to nighttime behaviors like clenching and/or grinding your teeth. If you have this nocturnal habit, your dentist can make you a nightguard that will be very useful in reducing the force applied to your teeth, allowing your muscles to rest and relieving strain on your jaw joints.
Comments are closed.