TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, the highly movable hinge that connects your skull to the jawbone. It is also known as the jaw joint. When a person suffers from TMJ dysfunction, it can be very uncomfortable because it affects your ability to communicate and eat. Thus, it can affect your mouth appropriately.
Numerous factors can cause jaw dysfunction. The TMJ is consists of the bone beneath your mouth (mandible) and the bone just above your mouth (maxilla). It is one of the most frequently used joints in our body. The TMJ allows the mouth to open and close accordingly for chewing, talking, yawning, and biting.
The temporomandibular joint is a highly complicated structure composed of muscles, bones, and tendons. Any trauma or injury to your jaw bone, like fractures and dislocations, can be the reason for jaw pain. Also, the pain can be due to a trauma that occurred to the neck or head. Thus, it can negatively affect the jaw, which is close to the neck, causing it not to line up correctly. The pain and discomfort can affect one or both sides of the jaw. Also, it can even get intense whenever you chew, bite, or move your jaw. In some cases, pain is there even when the jaw is at rest.
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TMD refers to any problem that affects the TMJ. TMD stands for temporomandibular joint disorder or dysfunction. Some people, including patients and a few doctors, mistakenly call it TMJ. However, TMJ is merely the acronym for the joint itself and not the condition. TMD has several reasons for happening. Numerous patients reported one or more of these occurred to them right before the onset of their jaw pain. Here are the usual causes of TMD:
A notable study observed 89 people with TMD. Researchers discovered that several patients began experiencing symptoms after experiencing an accident of some kind. Therefore, it makes it even more possible that there is a link between TMD and misalignment of the bones of the neck. There are other reasons for TMD to occur. They include the following:
Many other reasons cause jaw pain. These are the following:
The pain of TMD can be very discomforting and excruciating. It can either be temporary or may last for months or even years. Often it can affect only one side of the face, and sometimes, both sides. TMD pain is frequent among women compared to men. Also, it happens commonly among adults aging 20 to 40 years old. Here is a list of the most common symptoms that indicate you may have TMD:
We would like to share a few jaw pain management tips. You can do both in the comfort of your home quickly, anytime.
Start pressing your middle and index fingers to the sore spot of your jaw lightly for a few seconds. Then do the same to this precise area, right in front of your ear (on both sides) where your jaw joint attaches. Then, slowly and gently rub it in small circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes. Stop if you feel any sharp pain.
Put an ice pack on top of the painful area of your face for ten minutes. Then remove it for another ten before reapplying it. It will reduce inflammation.
Dip a clean washcloth on hot water, and then put the heat pack near the painful part without touching the skin. The moist heat can help relax the tense jaw muscles and also lessen pain. When the wet cloth is no longer scalding hot, apply it lightly to the affected area for a few minutes.
Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on maintaining the proper alignment of the bones of the neck. If the neck bones – the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae – in the upper cervical spine move out of their correct alignment, TMD may become the result. A misalignment in the neck bone significantly influences how the muscles, bones, and nerves move and function together.
You don’t have to endure and suffer from your TMD pain anymore. Upper cervical chiropractors use a gentle and precise technique to realign the bones to their proper positions. Once accurately adjusted, the jaw muscles will begin to calm down, start healing naturally, and your TMD will be a thing of the past.
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TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
