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"Click!" "Pop!"
"Owww!"
For many
Americans, this refrain follows every yawn. First,
there's a clicking or popping sound when the mouth
opens. Then pain in the jaw muscles follows.
Millions of
people suffer from temporomandibular joint syndrome, or
TMJ. TMJ is a group of common conditions that affect the
jaw joint and muscles that control chewing.
Fortunately,
TMJ is usually temporary and often goes away with little
or no treatment. With November National TMJ Awareness
Month, Subscriber News takes a look at what
causes it, and what you can do for relief.
Symptoms
These include:
- Clicking or
popping sounds whenever you open your mouth
- Jaw shifting
to one side when opening
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Dizziness
- Pain in jaw
muscles
- Limited jaw
movement/locking of jaw
- Facial pain
Causes
Research
continues about its causes. We do know that a physical
injury to the jaw or temporomandibular can cause TMJ.
Scientists have
also linked it to stress. They don't know whether stress
causes people to clench and grind their teeth, or
whether clenched teeth cause stress. Either way,
clenched teeth can tire jaw muscles and lead to TMJ
pain.
Other behaviors
linked to TMJ include lip or cheek biting, nail biting,
pencil biting and gum chewing. Another activity that may
cause TMJ is talking on the phone, especially if you
hold the receiver scrunched between your chin and
shoulder to free your hands. Resting your chin on the
palm of your hand may also contribute to TMJ.
Treatment
TMJ usually
goes away without major intervention.
If your jaw
clicks but you have no pain, discuss the matter with
your dentist during your routine checkup. Some jaw
clicking and popping are normal.
For mild pain,
give your jaw a rest. Avoid chewy foods like bagels,
pizza and gum. Practice relaxation techniques to relieve
stress. Place moist heat (such as a warm wet washcloth)
over the painful area of your face.
If pain
persists, talk to your dentist. Your dentist may suggest
certain exercises, or recommend muscle-relaxing or
anti-inflammatory drugs. Dentists sometimes recommend
using a custom night guard to help reduce teeth
grinding.
In some serious
cases of TMJ, your dentist may recommend surgery.
Surgical treatments are often irreversible and should be
avoided if possible. Certain irreversible treatments may
cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. The National
Institutes of Health says, "Before undergoing any
surgery on the jaw joint, it is very important to get
other independent opinions."
For more
information about TMJ, visit our Web site at
www.deltadentalnj.com. Click "Our Company," then
"Oral Health Info" and "TMJ." |
