Cause and Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Cause and Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Temporomandibular joint pain is commonly known as “Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ). When the patient opens and closes their mouth, they will hear a “grinding" sound from the jawbone and will feel pain during chewing. In severe cases, symptoms such as earache, headache, facial, and neck pain may occur.

Structure of Temporomandibular Joint

The structure of the temporomandibular joint is located in front of the ears. If you press the front of your ear with one finger and open and close your mouth, you will feel the movement of this joint. When patients with temporomandibular joint syndrome do this exercise, they will feel pain in the joint which restricts their activity.

There is a small cartilage tissue between the mandible and the temporal bone. This cartilage helps the two bones to push each other to control the mouth opening and closing and chewing. There are also multiple facial muscles and nerves above this joint to control the movement of the mouth corners and facial expressions.

Symptoms

When chewing, yawning, speaking, and swallowing, you will feel pain in your joints. The pain can extend to the face, head, ears, and teeth. In addition to the pain, when the patient opens their mouth, they will hear the “cracking and grinding" of the jawbone. The teeth seem to be locked, and the mouth cannot be fully opened and cannot move.

Causes

Most of the reasons are that the cartilage in the temporomandibular joint is injured and displaced, causing the facial nerves and muscles to be compressed and causing pain.

Other reasons include:

Jaw bone injury

Bruxism (Teeth grinding)

Chewing gum

Stress and other psychological factors

Cavities and dental problems

Treatment

1) In the case of jaw joint injuries, ice pads should be placed on the affected area immediately to relieve redness and pain.

2) Patients are advised to check with a dentist for oral or dental problems.

3) If there is no problem with teeth and oral cavity, ask a chiropractor to check whether the temporomandibular joint is displaced.

4) The chiropractor will use ultrasound to help reduce inflammation in the affected area, massage the facial muscles, and use hand therapy to correct the ectopic joints.

5) Try to eat as much liquid food as possible during the treatment period to avoid excessive movement of the jaw joints.

6) Avoid chewing gum.

7) Keep a relaxed mood.

8) A half-hour warm compress can be applied to the joint twice a day.