TMJ disorder is a health condition that impacts the jaw joint and the muscles controlling your jaw movement. Temporomandibular joint disorder can present itself with a variety of symptoms, causing issues with your chewing, speaking, and yawning. This disorder can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, impacting your overall quality of life and ability to perform very basic everyday tasks. Keep reading as we share a complete guide to temporomandibular joint disorder and top tips for TMJ prevention.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
Your temporomandibular joint plays an important role in everyday activities such as eating, speaking, and making different facial expressions. This joint is located in front of the ears and works with the surrounding muscles to control your jaw movement. TMJ disorder is a term that refers to any dysfunction or pain related to the jaw joint or the muscles used to move the jaw. This condition may occur as a result of an injury to the jaw, arthritis, teeth grinding, or even stress. Many patients don’t know the exact reason for their TMJ dysfunction, which can present some issues in stopping the pain from coming back again in the future.
TMJ disorder can affect one or both sides of the jaw. In some patients, TMJ disorder is a temporary condition, whereas for others, it can go on for many years at a time. The severity of the condition depends on why it occurred in the first place, and as you learn more about TMJ explained, you’ll find that there are certain TMJ prevention actions you can take to avoid this condition. Statistics suggest it is more commonly reported in women, with the average age range of patients usually sitting between 20 and 40 years old. Preventive dentistry in Manchester is a great way to try and avoid or stop this issue, as dentists are able to notice some of the signs of the disorder early on before recommending the best ways of treating TMJ disorder.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
The symptoms of TMJ disorder will vary from person to person, with some people just having mild discomfort and others struggling with severe pain. These are some of the most common symptoms, all of which preventative dentistry may help you to catch early on to avoid long-term issues.
Jaw Pain or Tenderness
Jaw pain is typically the most common symptom of TMJ disorder. This pain can be localised to the jaw joint or spread to the surrounding areas, such as the face, neck, or shoulders. You are most likely to notice the pain when you eat, yawn, or speak, with some people complaining during their preventive dental appointment that they can’t even perform normal activities or open their mouth fully without feeling the pain. If you are noticing issues with your jaw, we always recommend speaking to your dentist straight away to find the root cause of the issue.
Pain When Chewing
Many people with TMJ disorder find that chewing becomes painful. Biting down or chewing food puts more strain on the affected joint, leading to higher levels of discomfort. Some patients may find they can’t open their mouth wide or may feel their jaw gets locked in position instead of moving freely as it normally would.
Discomfort When Chewing
Another common symptom of TMJ disorder is a clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing your mouth. This noise will likely be accompanied by pain and we recommend working with a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you notice this symptom of TMJ disorder to see what can be done to treat it.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The cause of TMJ disorder in each patient can be difficult to pinpoint, as many factors can contribute to this condition. These are a few of the top causes of TMJ disorder:
- Jaw Injury: Trauma or injury to the jaw, neck, or head can lead to TMJ disorder. Any incident that puts extra stress on the jaw may result in you needing to seek medical assistance and treatment.
- Teeth Grinding (Bruxism): Grinding or clenching your teeth, especially during your sleep, can put pressure on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. When this happens every night, there is likely to be a long-term impact on your health.
- Arthritis: Arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint and result in inflammation and degeneration of the joint.
- Jaw Misalignment: Misalignment of the teeth or jaw can contribute to TMJ disorder. This is one of the top reasons preventative dentistry can support you in avoiding health issues in the future.
Temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition that can significantly impact your quality of life when you experience high levels of pain day after day. Contact our team today to book your next dentistry appointment to help support your health and wellbeing.
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