You’re not alone.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that as many as 10 million people have TMJ disorders.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of disorders that create pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles controlling jaw movement.
What symptoms can you have with a TMJ disorder (TMD)?
- Regular headaches experienced around the temple area or around the ear can be tender on waking, especially if you clench or grind your teeth in your sleep.
- Popping, grinding, or grating noises, are heard when opening or closing your mouth.
- Uneven jaw movements when eating or sleeping
- Tender jaw muscles
- Difficulty opening your mouth wide
- Unable to take big bites when eating
- Facial pain
- Ear ache
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Dizziness
- Pain in the back of the head
What can I do?
See your Chiropractor. Chiropractic therapy is emerging as a promising non-invasive treatment option. Chiropractic techniques used to treat TMD include spinal adjustment, soft tissue therapy, and specific exercises provided by your chiropractor. Treatment may also include targeting the underlying causes of TMD which include joint dysfunction, muscle tension, and poor posture.
Sleep, to help minimize TMJ pain, sleep on your back, and use a good supportive pillow to support your neck. Avoid sleeping on your stomach, and if sleeping on your side, avoid placing your hand on your jaw
Press HERE to read our Healthy Living Blog post “Sleep Smart : Sleep posture matters!”
Reduce your stress, try meditation techniques to help loosen and relax your jaw. Choose an activity where you can calm your mind and relax your face.
Press HERE to read our Healthy Living Blog post “Chronic Stress: Is this the new normal?”
Take notice of any bad habits such as nail biting, chewing gum for a prolonged period, chewing your cheeks or lips, resting your jaw in your hand, and clenching or grinding your teeth. Take note of your daily patterns and jot them down. Keep in mind how often you do them.
Avoid some foods that require you to open your mouth forcefully wide. Be aware of hard foods and foods that require a prolonged time to chew.
References:
Steven Pavia, DC, Rebecca Fischer, DC, and Richard Roy, DC, PhD, Chiropractic Treatment of Temporomandibular Dysfunction: A Retrospective Case Series, J Chiropr Med. 2015 Dec; 14(4): 279–284.
https://www.melbournetmjcentre.com.au/tmj-symptoms/
Eric Chun-Pu Chu, Wai Ting Lee, Cherie Chau, Emmanuel Wong, and Hay Yeung Cheng Temporomandibular Disorder Treated with Chiropractic Therapy, Cureus. 2023 Mar; 15(3): e36377.
https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and- wellness/2020/september/tmj-pain-relief-8-best-practices-to-help-manage-tmd
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