Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is a collective term for a lot of different things that can cause pain, tenderness, and clicking or popping in the jaw joints and areas around them. Even pain in your neck and shoulders can be related to temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The condition is casually known as TMJ, but TMJ dysfunction would be a more correct way to abbreviate it. Chronic TMJ dysfunction issues are known as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). There are over 30 different disorders involving the joints and muscles of the jaw and certain types of headaches that can all be classified as temporomandibular joint disorders.
The temporomandibular joints are so called because they sit on either side of the head where the temples and the mandible (jawbone) meet. Dysfunction in these joints can make everyday activities like eating meals and having conversations very difficult. Catching the symptoms of TMJ dysfunction early can make a big difference for some people. You may be able to make some simple lifestyle changes, such as swapping breath mints for chewing gum or wearing a mouth guard at night, to prevent the issue from getting worse.
This article will cover 11 common symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction, some potential causes, and ways you can find some relief.
What causes temporomandibular joint dysfunction symptoms?
It can be difficult to pinpoint a single cause of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. It’s often a combination of things like poor posture, sleeping on your stomach, grinding your teeth at night and chewing gum. Some people may have a genetic predisposition for TMJ dysfunction, and stress and chewing gum are known to make it worse. Women tend to experience TMJ dysfunction more than men do. Jaw injuries, arthritis, and wear and tear are other common factors.
If you have pain from TMJ dysfunction, you can try to cut down on habits that make it worse, like chewing on ice or pens. Eating soft foods during pain episodes can help mitigate pain from TMJ dysfunction. You should also avoid overworking your jaw muscles by using your teeth for things other than chewing.
11 symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction to look out for
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can show up quickly or develop over time. Make note of your symptoms and keep track of when they started, what time of day they’re occurring, and how often you notice them. You may want to keep a journal with details about pain episodes and what seems to make it better or worse. The more details you can give your treatment provider, the better. They can provide some education about your specific issue or recommend helpful treatments or lifestyle adjustments.
Before recommending treatment, your care provider will likely observe the way you move your jaw, place their hands on your jaw to check for clicking or popping, and put some pressure on different areas to check for tenderness. They may want to do some imaging tests to get a closer look at the bones and the articular disc that form your temporomandibular joint. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans can be used to check for injuries and abnormalities.
Any of the below symptoms may signal temporomandibular joint dysfunction:
- Jaw pain, stiffness or tenderness — The first thing many people with TMJ dysfunction notice is pain or discomfort when opening their mouth all the way. You may notice your pain more during certain times of the day, and certain activities like talking or chewing can make it worse.
- Clicking or popping — Even though the temporomandibular joints are on either side of your head, clicking or popping may be more noticeable in the lower jaw or mandible. Your jaw may seem to pop out of place upon opening, and you may hear clicking in your ears.
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing — When you’ve got full-blown TMJ dysfunction, chewing anything can be painful. Foods that are chewy or tough, like chewing gum, jerky, steak, taffy or gummy candy, can be particularly aggravating. Try to avoid these when you can.
- Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints — Some people feel pain in the temporomandibular joints themselves. This could feel dull and achy, sharp, or throbbing.
- Earache or tinnitus (ringing in your ears) — The ear, jaw and throat are closely connected, so tightening of the muscles around your jaw can cause ringing and aching in your ears.
- Facial pain or toothache — Pressure from the lower jaw as well as stiffness pulling on the temporomandibular joints themselves can result in facial pain. You may also notice sensitivity or pain in your teeth at certain times.
- Neck or shoulder pain — Depending on where you’re holding tension, you may feel pain in your neck or shoulders. Compensating for jaw pain can also cause pain in other areas.
- Headaches — Tension and stiffness in your jaw joints can turn into more generalized headaches. You may also feel inflammation in any muscles that are affected.
- Migraines — If you’re prone to migraines, TMJ dysfunction can cause them to happen more often.
- Locking of the lower jaw when you open or close your mouth — When you open or close your mouth, your jaw may lock in place or seem to get stuck in a certain position.
- A change in the way your teeth fit together — If you’ve had temporomandibular joint dysfunction for a while, your teeth may not fit together when you bite down. The lower jaw may seem to be shifted to one side or fit unevenly (malocclusion).
What treatments provide relief from TMJ dysfunction symptoms?
TMJ disorders are painful but common issues. Most of the time, it’s temporary and treatable with a combination of physical therapy exercises, lifestyle adjustments and pain relievers. A few different physical therapy treatments can help people with TMJ dysfunction get relief. There may be trigger points in the head, jaw, neck and shoulders that can be released. At Back in Motion Physical Therapy, we also help patients stretch and strengthen jaw muscles by teaching them exercises. If clenching and grinding at night are a known issue, you can get a fitted silicone mouth guard to wear when you go to bed.
Depending on what’s causing your TMJ dysfunction, your doctor may prescribe medication or a corticosteroid injection. Pain relievers, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatories and antidepressants can sometimes provide relief from TMJ dysfunction.
In the most extreme cases, if TMJ dysfunction persists over time and other treatment methods haven’t helped, surgery may be needed. The least invasive approaches are arthroscopic surgery and arthrocentesis, in which small needles are inserted to flush fluid through the joint, removing debris and inflammatory byproducts. Your doctor should discuss all your options and risks thoroughly before moving forward with surgery.
You can also try some at-home methods, such as heat and ice therapy and over-the-counter pain relievers. We recommend talking with a health care provider before starting a self-treatment regimen.
Back in Motion can help you with temporomandibular joint dysfunction
Your physical therapist can be a great resource in determining potential causes of your temporomandibular joint dysfunction and helping you find effective treatment. They can also provide personalized education about your condition. We’ve helped a lot of patients get relief and prevent their TMD from progressing. If your doctor recommends surgery, we can also help with pre- and post-surgery rehabilitation.
If your TMJ dysfunction is causing you pain or getting worse, don’t wait to call us or request an appointment. We may be able to provide treatments that help you feel better without medication or surgery.
