Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge that attaches your lower jaw to your skull on each side of your face. If you place your finger on the side of your face and open and close your jaw, you’ll feel that hinge and joint at work. According to the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, approximately 25 to 30% of Canadians suffer from TMJ disorders that cause pain in and around and affect the normal function of your jaw.
What are the symptoms of TMJ
disorders?
The most common symptoms of TMJ disorders are
pain in your TMJ or the muscles on the side of your face, problems fully
opening your jaw, a clicking sound when you open and shut your jaw, neck and
earaches, and headaches that seem to focus around your temples.
What causes TMJ pain?
There are a wide variety of known causes of
TMJ pain and others that continue to be investigated. In addition to those
known causes, there are other known risk factors for increasing your risk of
experiencing TMJ-related pain. Causes of pain affecting your TMJ in SW Calgary
include: trauma or dysfunction affecting the muscles that control your jaw and
that connect your neck and shoulder muscles to your face and jaw muscles;
damage in the internal portions of the TMJ joint itself, such as a dislocated
or displaced disc; and degenerative conditions affecting the joint, such as
arthritis.
Risk factors that can increase the risk that you will experience TMJ pain — or increase the degree of pain that you experience — include: injuries to your jaw, face, neck and head; experiencing stress or anxiety; misaligned teeth that affect how your upper and lower jaws meet; and if you suffer from sleep or waking bruxism, a condition in which you clench your jaw and grind your teeth whether you’re asleep or awake.
How can you manage TMJ pain?
There are several things that you can do
yourself to ease the discomfort associated with TMJ pain. Self-help remedies,
including: eating softer foods and avoiding hard and hard-to-chew foods;
applying a cold compress to your jaw or the side of your face; avoiding fully
opening your jaw; practicing stress-reduction and relaxation exercises; gently
stretching your jaw; and performing or receiving soft tissue massage.
Dentists can help, too? Does that surprise you? Tell your dentist about any TMJ-related symptoms you’ve been experiencing. A TMJ dentist near you may take x-rays and examine your face and jaw to identify teeth and jaw-related issues that may be contributing to your discomfort. Pain associated with TMJ disorder can often be eased or even eliminated by wearing a custom-fit nightguard provided by your dentist in SW Calgary to properly position and protect your teeth.
When it comes to a mouthguard, don’t rely on an off-the-shelf or boil-and-bite athletic mouthguard from a sports equipment store. Whatever value those have for protecting the mouths of athletes — and that’s something to talk to your dentist about, too — they are not appropriate for properly positioning your teeth to protect you from TMJ disorders and associated pain. A custom mouthguard designed precisely for your teeth and symptoms is essential.
In other cases, making minor changes to the biting surfaces of your teeth and how they meet can also ease symptoms, especially in combination with a custom mouthguard. Your dentist will also refer you to other medical professionals to ensure you receive the help you need. Those may include physicians, physiotherapists, chiropractors or even behavioural therapists.
Don’t settle for a life affected by jaw pain. Next time you see your dentist, tell them about any TMJ symptoms you’re experiencing to see if your dentist can help or help you to get the help you need from another medical professional.