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Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) describes acute or chronic inflammation of the joint which connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the skull (temporal bone). Between 5 – 15 percent of people in the US alone suffer from this condition, many of whom also have fibromyalgia. Women are more likely to develop TMJ than men. The pain and discomfort associated with temporomandibular joint disorder can be rather severe; however, for the most part, it can be managed with self-care and without medication or surgery.
The signs and symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder include:
- Pain and/or tenderness in your jaw,
- Aching pain in and around your ear,
- Difficulty chewing or discomfort while chewing,
- Facial pain,
Achiness in face and/or jaw,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Lockjaw,
- Problems with swallowing,
- Difficulty opening and/or closing your mouth,
- Headache,
- Trouble biting down on anything,
- Uneven bite,
- Clicking sound when opening mouth widely,
- Dizziness,
- Tinnitus (Ringing in ears)
- Jaw becomes easily dislocated or deviates to one side,
- Biting feels ‘odd’ or ‘awkward’, etc.
The causes of TMJ are difficult to determine. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can be caused by a variety of factors. Daily stress can lead you to grind your teeth. This is known as bruxism. Clenching your jaw is also a problem over time and can wear down the joint. This can change the alignment of the teeth. When the muscles get involved this can yield inflammation of the membranes surrounding the joint. In additional, accidents, arguments, fights or any other external bodily damage can also play a factor in damaging the temporal bone and the mandible.
Certain diseases such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, degenerative joint disease and autoimmune conditions will also harm the system and lead to the development of TMJ. The aging process is generally not our friend. Over the years, humans decline. As a result, things get harder, not easier. Stress gets harder to bounce back from. We, therefore, become more prone to getting TMJ if we already vulnerable to it as we age anyway…not less so.
If it is determined that you do indeed have this condition, you can manage it effectively with a variety of treatment options. Sometimes, the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder will even go away on their own.
Self-care is generally the best care for TMJ. Mild pain medications such as over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs or analgesics like aspirin or naproxen are usually sufficient to handle the pain. A diet of soft foods such as jell-O, applesauce, soups can assist you during flare-ups. You can also apply warm compresses to the inflamed area and do jaw exercises that will strengthen the joint.
In some cases, antidepressants, usually taken at bedtime can relieve stress and reduce pain associated with temporomandibular disorders. Muscle relaxers, corticosteroids and even botox can also be prescribed to provide relief. Some individuals find relief from mouth guards that prevent their teeth from grinding together in their sleep. However, if you suffer from sleep apnea, this could cause other problems and is not a recommended course of action for you. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy to handle stress-related issues and anxiety may be helpful as could certain surgeries.
The treatment options you decide to pursue will largely depend upon you and how severely TMJ impacts your life, your health and your mobility. It’s important to note that only about 1% of all temporomandibular joint patients generally require serious surgery and most report that they live long and healthy lives and learn to manage their conditions to some extent.
Several tips will help you too no matter how TMJ affects you:
- Avoid eating hard foods including candies and chewing gum.
- Drink lots of water.
- Get plenty of sleep. At least 6 – 8 hours a night.
- Learn stress reduction techniques.
- Relax!
- Maintain good posture especially if you work at a computer.
- Pause often to change positions.
- Practice safety to reduce your risk of broken bones and dislocating anything.
For more information on living well with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, check out the TMJ Association, LTD. |
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