You love the satisfying crunch of a handful of almonds or a crisp carrot stick. But lately the crunch of your favorite snacks has become a pain in the jaw. In fact, this jaw discomfort has been coming up periodically, especially while you're eating.
You could be experiencing a temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lar) disorder. This may sound complicated, but it boils down to problems with the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull — your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
The good news? The discomfort from these disorders is usually temporary and can be relieved with self-care measures.
A little background on your TMJ
Your TMJ connects your jawbone to the temporal bone on each side of your skull. The muscles and ligaments surrounding these joints control the position and movement of your jaw. A small shock-absorbing disk separates the two bones, helping keep movements smooth.
To allow for your jaw to move both up and down and side to side, the joint functions as a hinge and with sliding motions.
Temporomandibular disorders typically stem from problems in one of two places — the joint or the muscles. In some cases, both may be involved.
What causes TMJ pain
Trauma to your jaw or TMJ plays a role in some temporomandibular disorders. The shock-absorbing disk may erode or move out of alignment, or the TMJ itself may be damaged by impact or overwork.
Degenerative or inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis also increase your risk. In fact, it's estimated that over half of people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience a temporomandibular disorder.
Poor head and neck posture can also contribute to pain. For example, musicians who use their jaws frequently, like singers, violinists and woodwind players, commonly experience temporomandibular pain.
And certain behaviors, like clenching or grinding your teeth or repetitive jaw motions from gum chewing or pipe smoking, can lead to jaw pain.
How to tell if you're having TMJ problems
The hallmark of a temporomandibular disorder is facial pain, which may occur in your jaw or in the area in front of your ear. It's common for pain to occur with chewing.
Other signs and symptoms include:
- Headache
- Earache
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Jaw clicking or popping
- Jaw catching or locking
- Tooth pain in the molar region
- Neck stiffness and pain
Most people will develop only a mild form of temporomandibular disorder. Symptoms will improve significantly or disappear fully within a few weeks to months, especially with good self-care. However, others may develop long-term pain that can be persistent and even debilitating.
What you can do
The first self-care steps are quite simple and involve making changes to avoid pain.
- Eat softer foods.
- Take smaller bites.
- Avoid large jaw movements like with gum chewing and wide yawning.
- Change posture and sleep position.
- Try relaxation techniques to avoid the stress or tension that causes you to clench your jaw.
If these strategies don't relieve symptoms and prevent pain, your doctor may recommend further measures, like:
- Applying moist heat or ice to the area
- Gentle jaw stretching and relaxation exercises
- Nonprescription pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or, in some cases, a stronger pain medication, muscle relaxant or antidepressant drug
If the wear pattern on your teeth suggests that you grind them at night, your dentist can recommend a specially designed mouth guard called an occlusal splint. This guard not only protects your teeth, but also supports the TMJ and supporting muscles, and may reduce pain.
When self-care doesn't work
Most people with a temporomandibular disorder will find relief with self-care measures. If you're experiencing severe or long-lasting pain, however, talk to your doctor. He or she can help determine the cause of your pain and the best way to treat it.