The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. When this joint is injured or damaged, it can lead to a localized pain disorder called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or temporomandibular disorder.
Causes of TMJ Pain include injury to the teeth or jaw, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding or clenching, poor posture, stress, arthritis, and gum chewing. When home treatment does not work, medical treatment for TMJ syndrome includes dental splints, Botox injections, physical therapy, prescription medications, and in severe cases, surgery.
TMJ disorders often responds to home remedies, including ice packs to the joint, over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, avoiding chewing gum, massage or gentle stretches of the jaw and neck, and stress reduction.
Medical professionals do no completely understand the causes of TMD. Multiple factors contribute to the muscle tightness and dysfunction that characterize this condition. It is not clear whether some of these causes directly lead to TMJ syndrome or if they are a result of the disorder.
The main TMJ disorder symptom is pain in the jaw joint. This joint is located just in front of the ear, and pain associated with TMD may involve the face, eye, forehead, ear, or neck. The ff is the signs of TMJ Disorders:
Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially at the area of the joint
Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus)
Pain that feels like a toothache
Ear pain (earache) or sounds of cracking in the ears
Ringing or popping sounds in the ears (tinnitus) or a sense of fullness in the ears
Headaches, including migraines
Blurred vision
A doctor will diagnose TMD by taking the patient's medical history and doing a physical exam to find the cause of the symptoms. There is no specific test to diagnose TMD.
