What Are The Causes and Symptoms of TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that connects your lower jaw to the temporal skull bone. This joint is found on both sides of the head in front of your ear.

TMJ also refers to health issues related to jaw joints and surrounding ligaments and muscles. The temporomandibular joint syndrome is pain experienced in the jaw joint and is caused by several medical problems.

These disorders can lead to headaches, neck pains, muscle pains when controlling your jaws, earaches, and facial pain. TMJ disorders may be acute or chronic, ranging from mild to severe pain.

Causes of TMJ

Diseases such as arthritis, trauma to your joints, oral habits, and wear and tear are some of the factors that can cause TMJ disorders.

Trauma

Trauma can be either micro or macro. Microtrauma is associated with internal damage caused by clenching or teeth grinding. People who often complain of facial or TMJ pains are usually diagnosed with bruxism(teeth grinding).

Bruxism can cause muscle spasms or an inflammatory reaction that causes initial pain. Repetitive use of chewing muscles or misalignment of teeth can cause temporomandibular joint changes. Clenching and constant pounding of joints while sleeping or awake can cause common stress. This stress results from tension in the jaws and can cause a clenched jaw.

Macro trauma is caused by outside pressure on your jaws. That is a punch to the jaw or an accident that can damage the cartilage disc of the joint or dislocation to the TMJ.

Arthritis

Just like any other joints in your body, arthritis can affect your jaw joints. Arthritis can bring these changes in the joints by degeneration. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that gradually leads to progressive loss of cartilage on the bone’s surface.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of the TMJ and joints. With progression, it can damage the cartilage and cause a joint deformity. It is mainly common in the temporomandibular joints of young children.

What Are The Signs and Symptoms of TMJ?

Are you experiencing clicking sounds or grating sensations when moving your mouth? Then you probably have a TMJ disorder. However, if you have no pain or limitations when moving your jaw, you probably don’t need any TMJ treatment near you.

The following are other symptoms you must expect if you have TMJ syndrome.

• Swelling of the face or mouth on the affected side
• Toothaches or teeth sensitivity without the presence of oral disease
• You may experience facial pains, muscle pain, and jaw joints that may radiate to the neck and shoulders. One may also experience pain when yawning, chewing, or talking. This pain will be felt on the joint itself or move elsewhere on your face, ear, scalp, or jaw. It can also cause headaches, symptoms of migraines, and dizziness which can lead to nausea or vomiting.
• Muscle spasms due to the overstretched joints. These spasms may lead to swallowing difficulties.
• A tingling sensation or numbness on your fingers
• Your jaw may lock in a closed or an open position due to dislocation. The jaw may also deviate to the side after opening. Also, one may experience pain on one side of the jaw.
• TMJ syndrome can also cause tinnitus, which is associated with ringing in the ears, ear pain, or hearing difficulties. Sometimes one can easily mistake TMJ for an ear problem or infection.

How Long Do the TMJ Symptoms Last?

If you have acute TMJ, symptoms will last a few days to a few weeks. They go away after the cause of injury is treated.

Chronic TMJ symptoms are persistent and accompanied by a sharp or dull pain that will occur over an extended time. The pain may last for months and even years. Visit our dentist in Calgary, NW, for immediate treatment if you start experiencing the mentioned signs and symptoms.

TMJ Treatment Options

Temporomandibular joint disorders treatment options range from simple home care practices to open surgery, conservative treatments, and injections. According to our specialists in Springhill Dental, they recommend one starts with the conventional and non-surgical therapies.

Some of the available treatment options may include;

• Physical therapy
• Pain relievers
• Behavioral changes and posture training
• Ice and hot packs
• Use of orthopedic appliances
• Surgery