{"id":3238,"date":"2017-08-15T04:01:52","date_gmt":"2017-08-15T04:01:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.princeviewdental.com\/?p=3238"},"modified":"2021-08-09T05:26:04","modified_gmt":"2021-08-09T05:26:04","slug":"blogeverything-you-should-know-about-temporomandibular-joint-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/1stonthelist.website\/temp\/Blog\/everything-you-should-know-about-temporomandibular-joint-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Should Know About Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you been experiencing an unusual amount of pain, tingling, clicking, or a combination of all of the above every time you move your jaw? It could be a symptom of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome<\/strong>. While there\u2019s still a lot of work to be done when it comes to determining the exact underlying causes of this extremely uncomfortable disorder, science has certainly come a long way in identifying a few possible temporary and permanent relief methods. Certain dental clinics in Toronto even offer extensive in-office TMJ treatment options as well as at-home relief recommendations depending on the severity of the situation.<\/p>\n

\"Unstoppable<\/a><\/p>\n

iStock.com\/yacobchuk<\/p>\n

What is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome?<\/h2>\n

Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome is a disorder that occurs on either side of the jaw. The jaw is connected to the skull by the temporomandibular joint and it\u2019s responsible for performing basic functions of the jaw such as yawning, chewing, and speaking. When the temporomandibular joint is damaged or misaligned for any given reason, this can result in mild to severe symptoms that can cause great discomfort and pain when performing basic functions. This condition goes by many alternative names including Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder, TMJ syndrome<\/strong>, Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), and TMJ Dysfunction. Women are usually at a much greater risk than men of developing this disorder.<\/p>\n

What Causes TMJ?<\/h2>\n

While the following isn\u2019t necessarily a comprehensive list of all of the causes of temporomandibular joint disorder, it does give a strong insight into how the condition can develop over time or instantaneously to varying degrees.<\/p>\n

Teeth Misalignment or Jaw Trauma<\/h3>\n

If you have any problems with your teeth or have suffered a jaw injury such as a harsh blow to the face or mild or severe whiplash, then this could result in TMJ disorder<\/strong>. The misalignment of the teeth in the form of either an underbite or overbite can eventually cause the jaw to become deformed as well, which will strengthen your chances of developing temporomandibular joint syndrome.<\/p>\n

Teeth Grinding<\/h3>\n

Many people tend to grind their teeth in their sleep without even realizing it until their dentist informs them that they\u2019ve been doing it. Teeth grinding is usually a physical symptom of emotional distress, anxiety, or depression. In some cases, it\u2019s an involuntary act of coping with extremely stressful situations and it can cause the jaw to become misaligned as well.<\/p>\n

Poor Posture<\/h3>\n

All parts of your body are interconnected and work in tandem with one another. If you have extremely poor posture and your back and neck are constantly hunched over, then this will increase your chances of developing temporomandibular joint disorder<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Stress and Anxiety<\/h3>\n

One of the most prevalent physical signs of emotional stress and anxiety is the clenching of the jaw. This is a major risk factor for temporomandibular joint syndrome because it can cause the jaw to shift out of its natural position and lock up. If the jaw is clenched hard enough, then the mandible bone can grind against the disc that lies between it and the temporal bone. This creates a great amount of friction in the joints, which can damage the disc, leading to pain, noise, or limitation in jaw movement.<\/p>\n

Orthodontic Braces<\/h3>\n

By design, braces are meant to reposition your teeth into a state that was not usual to them. Each individual person\u2019s teeth are unique in their own right; some people are genetically predisposed to have straighter teeth than others. The gradual structural shifting of teeth that\u2019s achieved by braces can put a great deal of pressure on the mandible (jaw) bone which can in turn cause pain in the affected area.<\/p>\n

Excessive Gum Chewing<\/h3>\n

The whole point of chewing substances is to break them down quickly in preparation for swallowing. The harder your teeth and joints within your mouth have to work to break down a substance, the more pressure you\u2019re placing on the joints within your mouth and if you\u2019re already at risk for rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, then this can substantially increase your chances of also developing TMD.<\/p>\n

Muskuloskeletal Disorders<\/h3>\n

Muskuloskeletal disorders include many work-related injuries that can occur if your job is labour-intensive or if you happen to work in an office and spend the majority of your time typing on a computer. These types of injuries include: carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, tendonitis, tension neck syndrome, bursitis, and tenosynovitis. Tension neck syndrome is most likely to lead to TMD because the neck is directly connected to the head and all of the joints inside the mouth.<\/p>\n

What are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?<\/h2>\n

TMJ disorder can be characterized by either all or a combination of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n