TMJ DISORDER AND TINNITUS
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR (JAW) JOINT DISORDER
Do you have pain in and around the jaw?
Do you often get headaches for no apparent reason?
Do you have difficulty opening and closing your mouth?
Do you experience clicking or grating when you open or close your mouth?
Does your jaw sometimes lock?
Have you ever had pain in a perfectly healthy tooth?
Do you clench and grind your teeth at night?
Do you have sore or tired jaws when you wake up in the morning?
Do you have pressure behind your eyes or tearing for no apparent reason?
Do you experience sinus pain?
If you answered Yes to any of these questions you may have a TMJ disorder.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to disorders of the jaw joint, or the Temporo-Mandibular Joint. The term may also be used to refer to the muscles and soft tissues around the joint area.
The jaw joint is at the side of your face, just in front of your ear and can be felt moving as you open and close your mouth. It is one of the body’s most anatomically complex joints. There can be a relationship between jaw and neck problems.
Other names for the condition are MPD (Myofascial Pain Dysfunction) or CMD (Cranio-Mandibular Disorder). TMJ disorder can cause pain deep in the ear and may aggravate tinnitus.
Causes of TMJ Disorders
Predisposing factors: past health or development, e.g. born with a jaw malformation, had an early accident or blow to the head, been a thumb-sucker
Precipitating factors: an unusual event which sets off your TM disorder, e.g. direct blow to the face, chin or jaw, whiplash or other indirect trauma; surgical or dental trauma
Perpetuating factors: faulty habits which prolong the existence of the problem, e.g. chewing gum, clenching the jaw, grinding the teeth at night, abnormal muscle habits, posture stress or tension.
Treatment for TMJ Disorders
In almost all cases pain can be alleviated and the problems can be managed effectively. Because it is a chronic condition, changes in lifestyle and habits are necessary to obtain good sustainable results from treatment.
Some people have to learn to live with some inconvenience, e.g. a click or occasional discomfort, especially if there is joint damage. You can learn ways to minimize these inconveniences. In a very few cases, surgery is a viable option. As a rule, the longer you avoid treating the problems the longer it takes to get better,
Treatment is best shared between your Dentist (or Dental Specialist) and a therapist who is trained in TMJ and is able to assist you with long-term management. There are also self-help guides available which help to alleviate some of the problems by managing associated behaviours.
Treatments can include:
Physiotherapy: freeing stiff or restricted movement, massage for myofascial release, treatment of related factors such as spinal or biomechanical disorders, headache, posture and movement disorders
Gentle yoga or Tai Chi: provides relaxation, mobilizes stiff joints and improves posture
Relaxation training: progressive relaxation training or meditation
Dental Splint: a removable plastic bite-plate that fits over either the upper or lower teeth to help break the habit of clenching and encouraging normal jaw movement.
Acknowl. R O Uppgaard “Taking Control of TMJ”; Lynn Haysmann, Physio Plus
MORE INFORMATION
“Taking Control of TMJ” Robert Uppgaard, Dentist
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR (JAW) JOINT DISORDER SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
The following checklist will help you assess your symptoms to determine the probability of a TMJ Disorder. If you have one or more symptoms from Area 1, in addition to any symptoms from either Area 2 or Area 3, you should suspect a TMJ disorder.
Area 1: Around the Jaw
Clicking, grating or popping in the jaw joint
Pain in and/or around the jaw
Clenching or grinding teeth while you sleep or during the day
Difficulty opening your mouth
Difficulty closing your mouth
Jaw locks open or shut
Pain in the teeth
Tired or saw jaw when you wake up
Jaw deviates on opening and closing
Area 2: Around the Head
Difficulty swallowing
Muscle soreness or spasms around the head or neck
Ringing in the ears
Difficulty hearing
Frequent earaches with no infection present
Headaches of all kinds
Sinus pain
Pressure behind the eyes
Tearing for no purpose
Area 3: Throughout the Body
Muscle spasms in the neck, shoulder, back, arms or legs
Numbness in arms or fingers
Dizziness
Backaches
Difficulty sleeping
Fatigue, nervousness, anger or depression
Arthritis