Recurring headaches, neck and/or jaw pain, worn teeth, and a persistent clicking or popping of the jaw joint are all signs of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — often referred to as TMJ. Treating a bite disorder effectively not only restores your dental health, but alleviates the discomfort many patients experience due to painful symptoms.
Fullerton, CA dentists Dr. Kush Patel and Dr. Krutav Patel of Fullerton Craft Smiles will thoroughly evaluate your dental health, looking for signs of a bite problem such as worn and damaged teeth or irritated soft tissues, often the result of teeth grinding.
Common Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone to your skull. When something goes wrong with this joint, it can cause many problems. These common symptoms are all warning signs of TMJ disorders.
- Jaw Pain: One of the most noticeable symptoms is pain in your jaw. This pain might be sharp, dull, or throbbing and can affect one side of your face or both. It often gets worse when you move your jaw or chew.
- Clicking or Popping Sounds: When you open or close your mouth, you might hear clicking, popping, or grinding sounds. This happens because the joint might be out of alignment or not working smoothly.
- Limited Jaw Movement: TMJ disorder can make it hard to open your mouth wide or move your jaw from side to side. You might feel like your jaw is “stuck” or that it won’t move properly.
- Jaw Locking: Sometimes, your jaw might lock in one position. This can make it difficult to eat, talk, or even yawn. It might feel like your jaw is stuck or caught.
- Headaches: People with TMJ disorder often experience headaches, especially around the temples or behind the eyes. These headaches can feel like tension or migraines.
- Ear Pain: Since the TMJ is close to the ear, you might feel pain or discomfort in your ears. This can sometimes be mistaken for an ear infection.
- Facial Swelling: In some cases, the area around your jaw might swell, making your face look puffy or uneven.
What Causes TMJ?
Various things can cause TMJ. It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint the direct cause, and you may also have a case that has multiple causes.
Jaw Injury
One common cause of TMJ disorder is an injury to the jaw. This could be a sports accident, a car crash, or even a hard fall. When the jaw gets hurt, it can damage the TMJ or the surrounding muscles. This can lead to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your jaw. An injury can sometimes cause the joint to become misaligned, which can worsen TMJ symptoms.
Teeth Grinding
Grinding your teeth, especially while you sleep, can put a lot of stress on the TMJ. This habit, known as bruxism, often happens when a person is stressed or anxious. Over time, grinding your teeth can wear down the teeth and put pressure on the jaw joint, leading to pain and stiffness. If you notice that your teeth are wearing down or if you wake up with a sore jaw, teeth grinding might be the cause.
Jaw Clenching
Just like teeth grinding, clenching your jaw can also cause TMJ problems. Clenching often happens when you are stressed or angry. It’s a habit that might seem harmless, but it can put much pressure on the TMJ. This constant pressure can lead to inflammation, pain, and discomfort in the jaw.
Poor Bite Alignment
Your bite alignment is how your upper and lower teeth fit together when you close your mouth. If your bite is not aligned properly, it can put extra stress on the TMJ. This can happen if you have crooked teeth, missing teeth, or if you’ve had dental work that affects how your teeth come together. An improper bite can make it harder for your jaw to move smoothly, leading to TMJ symptoms.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints. It can affect many joints in the body, including the TMJ. Different types of arthritis can affect the TMJ, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis in the TMJ can cause pain, swelling, and limited movement in the jaw.
Jaw Misalignment
Sometimes, the TMJ can be affected by problems with how your jaw is aligned. If your jaw is out of place, it can make the TMJ work harder than it should. This misalignment can lead to pain and difficulty moving your jaw. This can be caused by developmental issues or problems that arise from habits like thumb-sucking during childhood.
Stress
Stress is a big factor that can contribute to TMJ disorder. When stressed, you might clench your jaw or grind your teeth without realizing it. This can increase muscle tension around the TMJ, leading to pain and discomfort. Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling can sometimes help reduce TMJ symptoms.
Posture Issues
Poor posture can affect your jaw, especially when sitting for long periods or looking down at a phone or computer. Bad posture can strain your neck and jaw muscles, leading to TMJ problems. Keeping good posture and stretching breaks can help relieve some of this pressure.
Treatment For TMJ Disorders
Dr. Patel will recommend a personalized treatment plan after a thorough exam and diagnosis of a TMJ disorder. Treatment options will depend on the severity of your dental concern, possible tooth damage and an assessment of your overall lifestyle.
In some cases, reducing stress and improving relaxation and sleep can make a significant difference in the effects of teeth grinding. Dr. Patel frequently recommends the use of a mouth guard during sleep or stressful situations to prevent teeth grinding and help to position the jaw correctly.
Additional treatment options for TMJ can include:
- Restorative dental treatments: for patients with tooth damage, restorative dental treatments may be necessary to repair teeth and restore a comfortable bite. These can include dental crowns, dental veneers or tooth bonding.
- Orthodontics: if misaligned teeth are the cause of your bite problem, Dr. Patel may recommend orthodontic treatment to balance the bite.