Job Hazards

TMJ Disorder

p>TM J disorders are known to cause discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The TMJ is the joint behind each cheek where the lower jawbone (mandible) and temporal bone meet.

When you talk, chew, or yawn, rounded ends of the mandible slide in and out of the socket. The surfaces of these ends, called condyles, and the temporal bone are protected by cartilage and divided by a tiny disc. This helps absorb shock and maintain fluid movement. The muscles responsible for the opening and closing of your mouth help keep this joint stable.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately one in ten people report pain that coincides with a TMJ disorder. Also, women face greater odds than men of developing these disorders. Oftentimes, the pain stemming from one of these disorders can be relieved through basic care and medication. However, some extreme cases may require dental or surgical repair.

Causes of TMJ

Some TMJ disorders may stem from a traumatic injury to the jaw, deterioration of the joints, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other forms of swelling. Frequently, the causes of TMJ conditions are unknown, but researchers think that it may have something to do with stress or anxiety.

If you unknowingly clench your teeth when you are under pressure, annoyed, or trying to concentrate, the TMJ muscles are continuously contracted. This feeling might be comparable to how you would feel if you constantly flexed your biceps throughout the day. Likewise, you may react to stress by grinding your teeth, which is known as bruxism. Some people even clench their jaw or grind their teeth uncontrollably while sleeping.

Chewing gum or on a writing utensil can worsen the pain of a TMJ disorder. Improper posture of the head, neck, and shoulders (e.g., slouching at a desk) can put strain on the muscle and bone structure around the jaw.

TMJ Symptoms

Possible symptoms of TMJ disorders can include:

• Achiness of the jaw
• Discomfort in the general location of the ear
• Problems or pain while chewing
• Pain around the face
• Clicking sound caused by opening your mouth or chewing
• Lockjaw
• Headache
• Unnatural bite caused by discomfort or because the top and bottom teeth make premature contact

Even when the jaw is still, someone with a TMJ disorder may notice some degree of pain. Typically, this pain gets worse with motion.

Many people's jaws click even when they do not have a TMJ disorder; if you do not have any tenderness or restrictive movement, a problem probably does not exist.