Jaw pain is one of those things that doesn’t typically go away on its own. Often, there is some underlying cause that is creating the discomfort. And in many cases, the cause is a TMJ disorder—aka temporomandibular joint disorder. In this article, we’ll cover what TMJ disorders are, the common signs and symptoms, and what your dentist can do to help you feel better.

What is a TMJ disorder? 

We estimate that up to 12% of the population has some sort of TMJ disorder. But what exactly does that mean? TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. This joint plays an integral role in basic actions, like talking, chewing, and yawning. When something interferes with its proper function—whether due to injury, misalignment, stress, or excessive grinding—it can lead to discomfort and even chronic pain.

While the causes vary, TMJ disorders often result from things like clenching your jaw during stressful moments, a misaligned bite, arthritis, or past trauma to the jaw. Understanding the symptoms can help you and your dentist pinpoint the issue and start working toward relief.

Common Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

If you’re wondering whether your jaw pain might be related to a TMJ disorder, here are some common indicators:

• Jaw pain or tenderness: Discomfort that feels localized around your jaw, often increasing during movement.
• Headaches or facial pain: Pain that radiates to the sides of your face, temples, or even your neck and shoulders.
• Audible noises: Audible noises such as clicking and popping are sometimes accompanied by discomfort when you open or close your mouth.
• Difficulty chewing: A sense that your bite feels off or discomfort while eating.
• Limited jaw movement: Trouble opening or closing your mouth fully, sometimes referred to as lockjaw.
• Ear pain or fullness: Sensations that mimic ear infections or pressure.
• Grinding or clenching (bruxism): Often an unconscious habit, particularly during sleep, that exacerbates symptoms.

Noninvasive Treatments

Before resorting to an advanced treatment of some kind, most medical and dental professionals will look for noninvasive options. This might include the use of a nightguard when sleeping to help lessen the pressure on the temporomandibular joint, or physical therapy with exercises to help relax as well as strengthen the jaw muscles. 

For exercise, you might be asked to try the following: 

• Controlled jaw opening and closing: Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth, just behind your front teeth. Slowly open and close your mouth while keeping your tongue in place to help stabilize the joint and reduce tension.
• Jaw side-to-side movement: Using a small object like a pencil or your finger as a guide, gently move your lower jaw from side to side while keeping the motion steady. This exercise improves flexibility and helps release stiffness.
• Chin tucks: While keeping your shoulders relaxed, tuck your chin slightly downward to create a double chin. Hold this position for a few seconds before releasing. This can help align the jaw and ease muscle strain.

Medications to Treat TMJ Disorders

In addition to a nightguard and muscle exercises, your dentist may recommend pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxants to help you manage pain and discomfort. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications can reduce swelling around the temporomandibular joint, providing relief from tenderness and stiffness. Muscle relaxants, often used for short-term treatment, can ease tension in the jaw muscles, which may help reduce clenching and grinding. 

However, it is important to recognize that these medications are typically part of a broader treatment plan to address the underlying causes of TMJ disorders.

Advanced TMJ Disorder Therapies 

In extreme cases, you may need advanced treatment. Common intensive treatments include: 

• Corticosteroid injections: Used to reduce inflammation directly in the temporomandibular joint, offering relief from pain and swelling when other treatments haven’t worked.
• Botox injections: Helps relax overactive jaw muscles, reducing clenching and grinding that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. This treatment may be recommended for those with chronic pain or tension-related issues.
• Surgical interventions: Reserved for rare cases where structural problems or significant joint damage occur. Options include arthrocentesis (a minimally invasive procedure to flush the joint), arthroscopy (using a camera to repair joint issues), or open-joint surgery for more complex repairs.

Lifestyle and Home Remedies 

Regardless of the treatment that is recommended to you for TMJ pain relief, your dentist and primary care provider might recommend some home remedies and lifestyle changes. For example, things like chewing gum or the eraser on your pencil, biting your nails or lip, and clenching and grinding your teeth can all contribute to TMJ. That said, these are typically signs of something with a greater root cause, such as stress and anxiety.

As such, in addition to the recommended treatment plan, you may want to try the following: 

• Stress reduction techniques: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises to ease tension in your jaw and surrounding muscles. Activities like yoga or journaling may also help manage anxiety that contributes to clenching or grinding.
• Diet modifications: Focus on soft foods that are easy to chew, such as soups, smoothies, and mashed vegetables, to minimize strain on your jaw. Avoid tough, chewy, or sticky foods that can exacerbate discomfort.
• Heat and cold therapy: To relax tight jaw muscles, apply a warm compress or an ice pack to reduce swelling and numb pain after overuse or stress.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Alhadef at Dallas Cosmetic Dental today to address your TMJ pain.

Jaw pain is no joke. It can interfere with your daily life, making it challenging to enjoy everyday activities. And the way we see it, why suffer when we can help you feel better? To see how Dr. Alhadef and his approach to restorative dentistry and TMJ disorders can help, request a consultation today.