Defining TMJ
To start with, let’s do something: Open your mouth and close it, then repeat the movement a couple more times. For some variation, wiggle your lower jaw around while your mouth is open. It all seems like perfectly normal movements, nothing special at all, and it’s very likely that you’ve never thought twice about doing them. The act of opening and closing your mouth and moving your jaws is not something that magically happens however. You have the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to thank for that.
What is TMJ? This is the joint that connects the temporal bone (call it the part on top of your jaw) to the mandible (the lower part of the jaw). The joint allows the temporal bone and the mandible to move and slide easily, allowing you to open your mouth, eat, kiss, talk, and all other things you do with your mouth. Over time, and through overuse, this joint can become damaged, which can cause you a considerable amount of pain. People mistakenly call the pain and damage that occurs to the TMJ as TMJ however, when actually it is known variously as TMJ pain, TMJ disorder, or TMJ syndrome.
So when people ask “What is TMJ?” they are really referring to the condition brought about by damage to the joint. TMJ disorder takes place when the cartilage disc between the mandible and the temporal bone is dislodged. This usually happens through a number of different causes, such as trauma to the jaw, arthritis, bruxism or teeth grinding, habits such as nail biting or biting pens and pencils, or teeth that are improperly aligned.
Getting treatment for TMJ disorder isn’t the easiest thing. For starters, however, you will need to make an effort to take away the pain you feel, and the pain itself is pretty deceptive: TMJ pain doesn’t just manifest in the jaws, but also in the neck and the shoulders, and it could even be that headache you have that simply won’t go away. You might even suffer from tinnitus or ringing in the ears. The first approach to TMJ pain is to get rid of the pain; you can use pain medication or warm compress. You should also avoid excessive gum chewing, stress, and other habits that cause or worsen TMJ pain.
Always consult a physician if you suspect that you already have TMJ disorder. That way you will be able to get the right treatment and your doctor will be able to determine if you will be needing any surgery for your TMJ disorder.
Understanding TMJ diseases starts with knowledge. Research as much as you can on TMJ joint pain and stop living in discomfort from day to day. Too many people just accept TMJ as part of life, you don’t have to settle for that pain. Look into a cure today.
