Could you have TMJ? Do you even know what it is? Read on to find out more about causes, symptoms and effective TMJ treatments.
Just saying the words temporomandibular joint disease and disorders (commonly referred to as TMJ) is a mouthful. Can you imagine how hard it would be to say if your jaw ached and your joints popped when you talked or chewed? That's what happens when you have TMJ.
What causes it? The disc that pads the temporomandibular joint (which connects the lower jaw to the skull) wears down or gets displaced as a result of chronic teeth clenching or grinding, or other trauma, like getting hit in the face. Diseases called connective tissue disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis) can also be a culprit.
Could you have TMJ? Ninety percent of the 10 million Americans who are diagnosed with TMJ disorders are women, although it's not entirely clear why. It may be because we're more prone to connective tissue disorders, perceive pain differently, or simply because we speak up about symptoms and seek treatment more often than men. If you have symptoms—which can include headaches, an achy jaw first thing in the morning, a clicking or popping of the joint while eating, muscle spasms in the jaw area, or a receding lower jaw—see a dentist or oral surgeon. She'll examine your mouth and check to see how far you can open your jaw. She may also order an X-ray, MRI or CAT scan to confirm that you actually have TMJ disease rather than another problem (such as sinusitis or an ear infection).
The Rx TMJ is thankfully one of those conditions that's easily, and often successfully, treated. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) such as ibuprofen can help dramatically—as can physical therapy, which may include massage, moist heat, ice and exercises to increase the joint's range of motion. If these first-line treatments don't work, your doctor may suggest a mouth guard, which you wear (mostly at night) to create space between your upper and lower teeth to take pressure off the jaw joints. You can buy mouth guards over the counter, but custom-made ones are usually more comfortable.
For severe cases, doctors sometimes recommend arthrocentesis, a procedure in which the affected joint is injected with an anesthetic and fluid to reduce inflammation and improve mobility. Some rare cases may require surgery.