Having difficulty in moving your mouth, especially when opening or closing it? Do you hear popping or clicking sounds when you move your jaws? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be suffering from TMJ syndrome. TMJ or temporomandibular joint syndrome or disorder refers to problems related to the jaw joints. The TMJ, in particular, connects our lower jaw or mandible to our skull, specifically to our temporal bone. This kind of disorder or syndrome can cause intense pain in the head and neck, lockjaw, difficulty in moving the mouth or jaw, bite problems, and a lot others.
There can be several causes of TMJ syndrome - the most common include disease, trauma, and wear due to habits or aging. For example, teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw tightening (clenching) can change the internal alignment of the teeth. This happens because the continual trauma can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the joint. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause TMJ disorders, just like how these diseases can affect all the other joints in the body. While arthritis is often associated with aging, it is still quite possible for children to also suffer from this annoying and painful disease.
One of the most common symptoms of TMJ disorders is pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints. The pain can be radiated to other parts of the body like the neck and shoulders. In many cases, pain is caused overstretched muscles and it is normal for those who suffer from this syndrome to experience muscle spasms. Other symptoms include ringing of the ears, clicking or grating or popping sounds, swelling on the affected jaw joint, and deviation of the jaws.
It is important to seek medical help at the first signs of TMJ syndrome. Acting early can keep you from being rushed to an emergency room because you have been stricken by open lockjaw, closed lockjaw, and deviating jaws. You know you will need to see a doctor when aches and pain in the face, head, ears, neck, and shoulder areas become chronic.
When you go to your doctor to have yourself checked for TMJ syndrome, you will be asked about your medical history so see to it that you give your doctor true and accurate answers. You might also be asked to undergo physical examination before your doctor can decide which method of treatment would be most appropriate for your condition. - 29879
There can be several causes of TMJ syndrome - the most common include disease, trauma, and wear due to habits or aging. For example, teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw tightening (clenching) can change the internal alignment of the teeth. This happens because the continual trauma can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the joint. Arthritis, especially osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can also cause TMJ disorders, just like how these diseases can affect all the other joints in the body. While arthritis is often associated with aging, it is still quite possible for children to also suffer from this annoying and painful disease.
One of the most common symptoms of TMJ disorders is pain in the facial muscles and jaw joints. The pain can be radiated to other parts of the body like the neck and shoulders. In many cases, pain is caused overstretched muscles and it is normal for those who suffer from this syndrome to experience muscle spasms. Other symptoms include ringing of the ears, clicking or grating or popping sounds, swelling on the affected jaw joint, and deviation of the jaws.
It is important to seek medical help at the first signs of TMJ syndrome. Acting early can keep you from being rushed to an emergency room because you have been stricken by open lockjaw, closed lockjaw, and deviating jaws. You know you will need to see a doctor when aches and pain in the face, head, ears, neck, and shoulder areas become chronic.
When you go to your doctor to have yourself checked for TMJ syndrome, you will be asked about your medical history so see to it that you give your doctor true and accurate answers. You might also be asked to undergo physical examination before your doctor can decide which method of treatment would be most appropriate for your condition. - 29879
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