TMD is an abbreviation for temporomandibular disorders. These occur as a result of a problem with the jaw, the jaw joint, and the surrounding facial muscles responsible for chewing and moving the jaw. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge joint connecting the mandible (the lower jaw) to the temporal bone of the skull. It is located immediately in front of the ear on either side of your head. The joints are very flexible so as to allow the jaw to move smoothly side to side and up and down, enabling you to be able to talk, yawn, and chew. The position and movement of the jaw joint are controlled by the muscles attached to and surrounding it.
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The reason for TMD is not really known. Dentists strongly believe it arises from problems with the muscles of the jaw or parts of the jaw itself. It is very likely that injury to the jaw, muscles of the head and neck, or temporomandibular joint is to blame. This could be due to a heavy blow to the head or neck, whiplash, or some of the following reasons:
Here are 5 signs indicating you may have TMD.
Problems with chewing is a common sign of TMD. It does not have to be consistent and actually may be intermittent, happening here and there. You may be chewing perfectly fine when all of a sudden you begin to feel pain and discomfort. This may cause you to have to stop chewing certain tough foods and resort to only eating soft foods until the pain subsides.
This is often the very first symptom of TMD. It is a pulsating pain that spreads through your face and jaw and may range from mild to very severe, depending on how badly your joint is damaged. Some people describe the pain as wrapping up towards the head and leading to intense pulsating headaches. Others say it goes across their jawline. If you have pain in your jawline, it is likely you have TMD, as this is often one of the first and most obvious symptoms.
Another sign of TMD is whether your teeth fit together properly. Some feel this disorder causes their teeth to not fit as they should when the mouth is closed. It may be very subtle, but still there. If your jaw is damaged, it can be the cause of your teeth being offset, leading to problems closing your mouth without an awkward feeling.
Most times the signs of TMD are not pronounced unless you are dealing with a particularly painful attack. Sometimes the symptoms are as simple as having tenderness in the area of the jaw. Tenderness can be a precursor to a much worse symptom or it can simply signal the disorder. Pay close attention to your body, and be alert to any odd sensations you may have, particularly around your face.
This is one of the most frightening signs of TMD. It can cause some to panic and think a much bigger issue is at play, but it is often just a telltale sign of the condition. Your jaw can get stuck in either an opened mouth or closed mouth position. But don’t let it scare you. Your jaw muscles will begin to ease up with time. If this occurs, it is a good time to seek help with this disorder.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of TMD can help you manage it better.
The TMJ combines a hinge action with a sliding motion to help the jaw do what it must to do. When the parts of the bones interact, they move smoothly due to the joint being covered with cartilage and separated by a disc that absorbs shocks. If TMD occurs, the following may have occurred:
You may be more susceptible to getting TMD if you have had any of the following:
It is likely that TMD is a result of a misalignment in one of the bones of the upper cervical spine, the C1 or C2 vertebra. A misalignment in this area impacts the function of the brainstem and can cause the muscles to tighten. The spine may shift and try to compensate for this kind of problem. The brainstem may send improper signals to the brain about what is happening in the body, leading to TMD pain.
Upper cervical chiropractors have training to find and correct the tiny misalignments of the neck. It only takes a misalignment of ¼ of a millimeter to cause problems throughout the entire body. Once we use scientific measurements and special x-rays to help us determine where your misalignment is, we then employ a gentle method to help realign these bones. We do not pop and crack the spine to get results. Rather, we encourage the bones to naturally move back into place, often helping our patients find relief for the annoying pain of TMD.
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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.
