TMJ Pain and What To Do

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    Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) is a type of temporomandibular disorder (TMD).
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone) in front of the ear. You have one on each side acting like a sliding hinge. If you place your fingers just in front of your ears and open and close your mouth, you should be able to feel the joint move. If you move your jaw side to side you can feel that the joint has a wide range of motion. Problems with the joint or muscles can cause jaw pain, neck pain, headaches, or ear pain.

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Causes
The exact cause of TMJ pain can be difficult to determine and in many cases the causes are unclear. Dentist believe the problems originate from the muscles in the jaw or the joint itself. 

• Grinding and/or clenching your teeth 
• Disk has eroded or moved out of its proper alignment
• Arthritis in the joint
• Accident - whiplash or heavy blow to the jaw
• Stress

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Signs and Symptoms

• Pain or tenderness in jaw joint, face, neck and shoulders.
• Aching pain in or around your ear
• Jaw getting "stuck" or "locked" in the open or closed position.
• Pain or difficulty chewing
• Clicking, popping or grating sounds when you open your mouth or chew. 
• Swelling around the jaw. 
• Toothaches, earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dizziness

Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can't open or close your jaw completely.

What You Can Do To Relieve The Pain

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See Your Dentist

Your dentist can replace crowns, bridges or braces to make the biting surface more balanced or correct your bite. They can also recommend a splint or night guard to lessen the effects of clenching and grinding.  

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Jaw Exercises and Stretches

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Use Heat or Cold

If you wake up in the morning and  your jaw is sore or painful, use a warm washcloth to warm up the area then do a few gentle jaw stretches. You can also use ice packs on your jaw and temple area for about 10 minutes, followed with a warm washcloth for 5 minutes. You can follow this up with either gentle stretches or self-massage. 

Be Nice To Your Jaw

Avoid extreme jaw movements, which means no chewing gum or ice. Try not to yell, sing, or do anything that forces you to open your mouth wide. Don't rest your chin on your hand.
Keep your teeth slightly apart, this relieves pressure on your jaw. 

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​Jaw Self Massage

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Professional Massage

Your therapist will focus on neck, shoulder, and facial muscles.  They will eliminate trigger points and release tension in the muscles around your neck, head, face, and jaw.  
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