Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs) affect the temporomandibular joints and muscles around them. The temporomandibular joints help you chew, talk, and move your jaw.
TMD is common in adults and affects up to 12 million people in the U.S., with females being twice as likely to have it. It often starts between the ages of 20 and 40 years old.
Signs and symptoms of TMD can include:
- Jaw or face pain
- Jaw stiffness or locking
- Headaches or migraines
- Trouble opening or closing your mouth
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Earaches or ringing
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Eye pain
- Tooth pain
TMD can happen for several reasons, including:
- A jaw injury, such as a break or dislocation
- Arthritis in the jaw
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Stress that causes jaw tension
- A misaligned bite
Several habits can make TMD worse, such as:
- Chewing on pens, ice, or nails
- Taking large bites of food
- Daytime clenching or sleeping on your stomach
- Using teeth as tools
- Poor posture
A healthcare provider can diagnose TMD after performing a physical exam and ordering imaging tests to check how your jaw moves and look for signs of pain or stiffness.
The physical exam may include:
- Seeing how wide you can open your mouth
- Feeling your joints as you open and close your mouth
- Pressing around your jaw to check for tenderness
Imaging tests include:
- Dental X-rays
- MRIs
- CT scans
Treatment for TMD depends on what’s causing your symptoms and their severity. Most people with TMD start treating it with noninvasive options such as medications and nonsurgical therapeutic options, which focus on relaxing your jaw and improving movement.
Medications to treat TMD can include:
- Acetaminophen
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen
- Muscle relaxers for clenching or grinding
- Antidepressants to help with chronic pain
Nonsurgical therapeutic options to treat TMD can include:
- Custom mouth guards or splints
- Jaw exercises through physical therapy
- Ultrasound therapy to relax muscles
- Trigger point injections, such as dry needling or steroids
- Changing habits, such as avoiding hard foods or improving posture
- TENS (gentle electrical currents) to ease tension
If medications or nonsurgical therapeutic options don’t help manage TMD symptoms, a healthcare provider may suggest surgical options, such as:
- TMJ arthroscopy
- Arthrocentesis to flush the joint
- Open-joint surgery for more serious problems
TMD is treatable and rarely causes lasting problems, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early.
If you are experiencing symptoms of TMD, you can schedule an appointment at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Dental Medicine. Please call (718) 670-5521.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.