by Bart Icles
Temporomandibular (TMJ) pain is a problem of the joints that link your lower jaw to your skill. TMJ pain may also be a symptom of joint conditions in the said area. There are two corresponding temporomandibular joints (one on each side of your head) situated in front of your ears.
A lot of TMJ-related indications are brought about by the effects of physical and emotional stress on the structures surrounding the joint. These include the cartilage disk at the joint; muscles of the jaw, face, and neck; nearby ligaments, blood vessels and nerves; and teeth. Clenching and grinding of your teeth may well be caused by daily stress, and these actions place pressure on the muscles, tissues, and the other structures that surround your jaw.
Most people who clench during their sleep grind their teeth as well. Grinding happens when you slide you teeth over each other sideways or in back and forth movements. Doing so can wear down your teeth and can cause pain to be felt around your lower jaw joints. TMJ pain can also be caused by poor posture. Poor posture can strain muscles on your face and neck and in the long run, can pass on this pressure to your TMJ.
There are other factors that can contribute to the development of TMJ disorders. Poor diet, lack of sleep, trigger points, arthritis, fractures, dislocations, and congenital structural problems can also cause TMJ related disorders.
When you experience difficulty or discomfort in biting or chewing, or there are clicking sounds while you are chewing or when you open your mouth, or you feel dull and aching pain on your face, there must be something wrong with your TMJ. Other signs and symptoms you must look out for are earaches, grating sensations while chewing, headaches, tenderness of the jaw, jaw pain, and reduced ability to open or close your mouth.
If you are suspecting that you have TMJ problems, you can consult your doctor to help determine if you are indeed suffering from such a condition. It is also best to consult more than one doctor so you can make comparisons of medical opinions. You can seek advice from medical specialists, your primary care provider, dentists, and ENT/EENT doctors. There are also physicians and dentists who specialize in TMJ pain.
There are medical tests or examinations available that can help determine the severity of TMJ conditions. Dental examinations help show if you have poor bite alignment. MRIs and X-rays also help show abnormalities in the jaw area.
When you start to feel pain in your TMJ, seek medical help right away. It may just be a small pain but it can be a signal of a more complicated problem.
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Understanding TMJ Pain
Temporomandibular (TMJ) pain is a problem of the joints that link your lower jaw to your skill. TMJ pain may also be a symptom of joint conditions in the said area. There are two corresponding temporomandibular joints (one on each side of your head) situated in front of your ears.
A lot of TMJ-related indications are brought about by the effects of physical and emotional stress on the structures surrounding the joint. These include the cartilage disk at the joint; muscles of the jaw, face, and neck; nearby ligaments, blood vessels and nerves; and teeth. Clenching and grinding of your teeth may well be caused by daily stress, and these actions place pressure on the muscles, tissues, and the other structures that surround your jaw.
Most people who clench during their sleep grind their teeth as well. Grinding happens when you slide you teeth over each other sideways or in back and forth movements. Doing so can wear down your teeth and can cause pain to be felt around your lower jaw joints. TMJ pain can also be caused by poor posture. Poor posture can strain muscles on your face and neck and in the long run, can pass on this pressure to your TMJ.
There are other factors that can contribute to the development of TMJ disorders. Poor diet, lack of sleep, trigger points, arthritis, fractures, dislocations, and congenital structural problems can also cause TMJ related disorders.
When you experience difficulty or discomfort in biting or chewing, or there are clicking sounds while you are chewing or when you open your mouth, or you feel dull and aching pain on your face, there must be something wrong with your TMJ. Other signs and symptoms you must look out for are earaches, grating sensations while chewing, headaches, tenderness of the jaw, jaw pain, and reduced ability to open or close your mouth.
If you are suspecting that you have TMJ problems, you can consult your doctor to help determine if you are indeed suffering from such a condition. It is also best to consult more than one doctor so you can make comparisons of medical opinions. You can seek advice from medical specialists, your primary care provider, dentists, and ENT/EENT doctors. There are also physicians and dentists who specialize in TMJ pain.
There are medical tests or examinations available that can help determine the severity of TMJ conditions. Dental examinations help show if you have poor bite alignment. MRIs and X-rays also help show abnormalities in the jaw area.
When you start to feel pain in your TMJ, seek medical help right away. It may just be a small pain but it can be a signal of a more complicated problem.
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