Sometimes while eating, sometimes while yawning and sometimes while talking, we can hear a ‘click’ sound coming from our jaw joint. This sound may be accompanied by pain. The source of this sound and pain is the temporomandibular joint.
Temporomandibular joints, called TMJ, are the joints and jaw muscles that allow you to open and close your mouth. Located on either side of the head, these joints, along with muscles, ligaments and bones, work together to help you chew and speak. Any problem that prevents this system from working properly can cause a painful TMJ disorder. If you or a loved one is experiencing pain around the jaw, neck or ears, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dentist to find the source of the pain and explore your treatment options.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders:
-Pain in or around the ear
-Hearing a click or popping sound when opening the jaw
-Headaches and neck pains
-Sensitive teeth in the absence of any dental problem
-Pain or tenderness in the jaw or jaw muscles
-Jaw pain and clicking when chewing, biting or yawning
-Difficulty opening and closing the mouth or difficulty chewing
-Sliding to the right or left when opening the jaw
If you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, it is important to seek medical help if you cannot open or close your jaw completely. Here is how you can check for yourself whether your jaw is opening and closing correctly and whether there are any problems with your joints. Stand in front of the mirror, release your teeth without clenching and start opening your mouth very slowly. If your jaw opens in a straight line from the moment it starts to open to the point where it opens, there is no problem. However, if it slips to the right or left and then finds its place, it may have started a problem in your joints. You should consult your dentist to discuss the possible causes and treatments for your disease.
Common Causes of TMJ Disorders
Because each temporomandibular joint has a disc between the ball and socket joint, the disc acts as a cushion for the friction that normally occurs when the jaw opens and closes. If the disc is damaged or does not function properly, the frictional movement can cause extreme pain in the jaw, neck, face and around the ears.
Possible causes of TMJ disorders are:
*Trauma to the jaw,
*If you have dislocated your jaw before,
*Excessive stress and related teeth clenching or grinding,
*Very old bridges and prostheses,
*Broken, decayed or missing teeth,
*Arthritis
For simple self-care treatments at home, I can recommend eating soft foods, applying ice packs to painful areas and light massage of the jaw muscles to relieve pain. It is very important to avoid quick, sharp jaw movements such as yawning and yelling. In addition, painkillers can help reduce inflammation. If the pain does not improve or worsens after a few days of home treatment, you should not neglect the pain and visit your dentist.
Treatment options may include prescription medications such as muscle relaxants, oral appliances such as dental night guards, or surgical procedures. If you have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, your dentist will plan the most appropriate course of treatment.
The most proactive solution for patients suffering from facial pain is to make an appointment with a dentist immediately.