What is Jaw Joint Treatment (TMJ)?

There is a joint in your skull called the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ), which connects your jaw to the temporal bones in front of your ears. This joint makes it possible for you to use your jaw to speak, eat, and yawn.

Issues associated with the TMJ are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD), although they are sometimes incorrectly referred to as TMJ, after the joint. Each case is different so the cause of TMD can vary. Common causes include grinding or clenching your teeth, arthritis, whiplash, injury of the head or face, and stress. Temporomandibular disorders can manifest symptoms like:

• Inability to open your mouth wide

• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth, or chewing

• Pain in the face, jaw joint, neck, shoulders, or ears

• Swelling in the side of the face

• Difficulty chewing

Treating TMD

Fortunately, for most cases of TMD, treatment is simple and can usually be done on your own. Here are a few ways to treat TMD:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers

• Muscle relaxants

• A bite guard or oral splint

• Physical therapy

Physical therapy exercises you can do at home include:

• The goldfish exercise- With your tongue on the roof of your mouth, one finger placed on your chin, and one finger on your TMJ, lower your jaw all the way down and back up. Do this set six times for each side of your jaw.

• The relaxed jaw exercise- Place your tongue behind your upper front teeth, relax your jaw muscles and let your lower jaw gently fall. Do this set six times each day.

If you would like to learn more about treatments for TMD, feel free to contact Hale Family Dental. We are happy to answer your questions!