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When we think about the joints in the body, the large ones such as the hips and knees, that support our mobility, probably come to mind first.
However, in front of the ears, two joints run connecting the lower jaw bone to the temporal bones of the skull, on each side of the head.
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, or jaw joints. The muscles controlling these joints allow the jaw to move.
This set of joints, when intact, are the only ones in the human body that work together as a unit. They connect the lower jaw bone (mandible) to the temporal bones of the skull on each side of the head.
The muscles controlling the joints are attached to the mandible. They allow the jaw to move in three different directions: up and down, side to side, and forward and back.
Pain in the jaw joint and surrounding tissues accompanied by limitation in jaw movements are referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs).
The synchronized, three-dimensional movements of the TMJ set it apart as the most complicated joint in the body. It differs in composition to weight-bearing joints like the knee or hip.
Recent research has discovered that TMD is a complex multisystem condition involving the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, exocrine, immune, muscular, nervous, reproductive, respiratory, and the skeletal systems.
As a result, TMD is no longer seen as a condition that's limited solely to the jaw and teeth areas of the body.
It's been found that up to 85% of patients with TMD suffer from other conditions, both pain and non-pain, in other parts of the body.
The TMJ's are also affected by a number of connective tissue disorders and autoimmune diseases. For this reason, multiple systems of the body are usually involved when there's a case of TMD.
If you suffer with arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, etc.—these can affect the TMJs.
Comorbidities are chronic, long-term diseases or conditions that occur together. Certain autoimmune conditions are considered comorbid because they occur too frequently with TMD to be by chance. Many of the autoimmune comorbidities occur more frequently in women.
TMD primarily affects women in their childbearing years. They experience the most severe symptoms, and are affected by the disorder at around a 9:1 ratio compared to men. However, the disorder does occur in both men and women.
The left, right, or both components of the TMJ may be involved. Depending on the severity, TMD can affect a person’s ability to speak, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe.
TMD is complex, and there are often multiple causes. Sometimes there's actually no obvious cause why it has developed in a person.
Autoimmune diseases, infections, injuries to the jaw area, dental procedures, and various forms of arthritis are known causes.
Studies have shown that genetic factors can contribute to the disorder. What's more, genetic experiments are leading to the discovery of new ways to treat TMD.
Additionally, hormonal and environmental factors can increase the risk. The observation that it's more commonly found in women in their childbearing years has led to research on the role of female sex hormones, particularly estrogen, on TMD.
Symptoms can range from sounds in the joint to severe, debilitating pain. However, some people report no pain but experience problems moving their jaw.
Symptoms may include pain in the jaw muscles, pain in the neck and shoulders, chronic headaches, jaw muscle stiffness, and/or limited movement or locking of the jaw.
There can be ringing in the ears (tinnitus), grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth, a bite that feels “off,” dizziness, or vision problems.
Remember, occasional clicking or discomfort in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common. A lot of the time, it won't be a cause for concern. Often, the problem goes away by itself in several weeks or months.
Sources: (The TMJ Association) (Divine Smiles) (Gulch Dental Studio) (National Institutes of Health)
If left untreated, TMD can lead to dental erosion. Sufferers experience greater wear and tear that leads to flattening and cracks in the teeth.
Bruxism is excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Sometimes TMD causes it, other times the reverse is true. Either way, it causes jaw stiffness and pain, and it can lead to radiating discomfort in the head, neck, and upper back.
TMD can permanently damage the jaw without corrective measures. The cartilage that supports the joint can wear away, while the jawbone may erode to cause painful friction that can lead to dislocation.
Joint inflammation can damage the auditory nerves connected to your ears, as each of the jaw joints are located beneath your ears. The damage can cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or hearing loss.
If severe TMD is left untreated for a long time, jawbone erosion can visibly change the proportions of your face. It can also make the jaw look tilted and asymmetrical from imbalance in the jaw if it loses height and begins to slant on one side.
Simple home therapy for a few weeks is usually sufficient for people who have mild TMD symptoms. For example, an ice or moist heat pack and avoiding extreme jaw movements like singing and wide yawning.
According to the National Institutes of Health, only the most conservative, reversible treatments that do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw, or joint, or that do not involve surgery, should be used to treat TMD.
The joints in the jaw are responsible for your ability to do many vital things, like breathe, eat, and talk. You probably take them for granted, unless you've been unlucky enough to experience pain here. Indeed, jaw pain can be excruciating, and the exact cause isn't always simple to determine. Aside from the obvious symptoms of discomfort, the signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can be easy to confuse with different health issues.
Click on to discover the symptoms that piece together the puzzle, and learn what you can do to recognize and alleviate TMD symptoms.
Is your jaw pain actually TMD, or something else?
The lowdown on temporomandibular disorder
HEALTH Temporomandibular disorder
The joints in the jaw are responsible for your ability to do many vital things, like breathe, eat, and talk. You probably take them for granted, unless you've been unlucky enough to experience pain here. Indeed, jaw pain can be excruciating, and the exact cause isn't always simple to determine. Aside from the obvious symptoms of discomfort, the signs of temporomandibular disorder (TMD) can be easy to confuse with different health issues.
Click on to discover the symptoms that piece together the puzzle, and learn what you can do to recognize and alleviate TMD symptoms.