TMJ Pain: Symptoms and Treatments

TMJ is the abbreviation for temporomandibular joint. This is the joint that connects your mandible to your skull. While the abbreviation "TMJ" actually refers to the joint, it is also frequently used to describe any disorder of this area. Most TMJ related disorders are caused by anything that places stress on the structures around this joint. Tightly clenching your teeth together or grinding your teeth at night will cause an excessive amount of pressure on the tissue, muscles and other structures in the area of the jaw. This will cause pain in the head, neck and jaw. The symptoms of TMJ may include:

Headaches
Earache
Tenderness or pain in the jaw
Facial pain described as aching or dull
Difficulty biting or chewing
When you open your mouth a clicking sound can be heard.
There is a grating feeling when you chew.
You are unable to open your mouth.

Conservative treatment for TMJ is recommended first. Massage the muscles that are involved, such as the muscles in the back of the neck, shoulders and don't forget the face. Be careful not to massage the area around the throat. Repeat a few times a day until the muscles are less painful. Massage the muscles inside your jaw by placing your thumb or index finger into your mouth and squeezing the muscle in your cheek. Moist heat or cold packs may also be used to loosen up the muscles. Other important steps to remember to prevent and relieve TMJ disorder are:

Keep a good posture while sitting for long periods of time. Take breaks often. Walk around and stretch out your muscles.

Keep your facial muscles and jaw muscles relaxed.
Drink lots of water and get adequate sleep.
Don't eat hard foods like nuts or hard candies.
Do relaxation exercises such as deep breathin to keep your body in a relaxed state.

If the conservative treatments are not successful, your doctor may recommend wearing a mouth guard or splint to prevent teeth clenching. These are guards that fit over the teeth to keep your jaw in a relaxed position and your teeth from coming into contact with each other. They are mostly worn at night because that is when you unconsciously grind your teeth. There are many types of mouth splints. Find one that is comfortable for you. The downside to mouth splints is that they may become less effective over time and can cause changes in your bite.

Reconstructive surgery of jaw is almost never required and is not recommended. Studies have proven that the problem is often worse after surgery than before. If the mouth guard doesn't work, your dentist may recommend braces to re-align your teeth. Occasionally, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant to help with the stiffness.

The best thing to do is to find the cause of stress in your life and try to alleviate it. Learn how to relax. Start an exercise program and stick to it faithfully. Yoga classes may be helpful also. Read all you can about TMJ and find out what treatments work for you. There is no reason to live your life in pain.