Hairline cracks in the teeth or pain and a clicking sound when chewing food or talking may point to TMJ. TMJ, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a painful condition that affects the muscles and ligaments around the jaw. According to the TMJ Association, 35 million people suffer from this disorder that afflicts some groups more than others including the elderly, young people between ages 12-18, and over 90% of females or females assigned at birth. Sometimes, even after a diagnosis, nothing gives TMJ relief. Maybe it’s time for a TMJ sufferer to ask if there’s something they’re doing to make the pain worse? How can someone afflicted with symptoms sort through all the myths about TMJ to get to the facts? Discover the 10 things that make TMJ worse.
What Causes TMJ Pain?
The skull and the jaw are connected by a muscle that functions like a hinge that opens and closes the mouth. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIH defines TMJ as “a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.” TMJ breaks down into three main groups as part of an overarching condition called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This happens when there are:
- Disorders of the joints in the jaw.
- Disorder of the muscles used in chewing.
- TMD-caused headaches.
Because TMD is actually part of an interconnected network of muscle, joint, and ligament systems, TMJ may spread across all three TMD groups or there may be symptoms impacting one area more than another. The pain that TMJ sufferers experience can stem from a variety of root causes including:
- arthritis in the jaw. Arthritis can signal TMJ because the joints surrounding the jaw can become inflamed or suffer from stiffness as with any other form of arthritis.
- a dislocated jaw injury.
- malocclusion, a condition that occurs when the top and bottom teeth aren’t correctly aligned.
- the normal wear and tear of chewing and eating.
Symptoms of TMJ Pain
TMJ is a tricky malady with symptoms getting better or worse on TMJ’s timetable. Onset of TMJ symptoms can be sudden or, just as quickly, symptoms can go away. These symptoms can also linger for a longer period of weeks or months. Since so many women tend to get TMJ, scientists continue to explore whether or not female hormones are related to the disorder.
Most people associate jaw clicking, locking, or popping sounds with TMJ. Jaw clicking, though bothersome, is not necessarily always a direct symptom of TMJ. According to the TMJ Association, these particular symptoms can indicate other kinds of medical conditions.
When the TMJ Association released the results of a survey in 2011, they concluded that the TMJD control group reported more instances of “… headaches, allergies, depression, fatigue, degenerative arthritis, fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal complaints.”
TMJ symptoms include:
- Pain while eating or chewing
- Clicking or popping noise when opening or closing the mouth
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Migraines
- Hairline cracks in the teeth or cracks in the front teeth
- Malocclusion
- Tinnitis
If someone suffers from any of these problems, a healthcare provider and/or a dentist can test for TMJ. A specialist can recommend an effective strategy for pain management. Although the list above incorporates symptoms affecting a large swath of the population, this list of symptoms is not comprehensive of TMJ or TMD.
The Four Myths Surrounding TMJ Pain
Online research on TMJ symptoms can reveal many articles about TMJ. Unfortunately, much of the information is not always factual. Here are four myths about TMJ.
1. Myth: TMJ pain only impacts the areas of the jaw and teeth.
Fact: TMJ is not just one condition that causes a symptom like crack lines in teeth. Rather, TMJ is a complex condition interwoven into medical systems throughout the body.
2. Myth: Only a dentist understands the causes and treatment options for TMJ pain.
Fact: Since TMJ symptoms can be part of other conditions like arthritis, crack lines in
teeth, fibromyalgia, or even migraines; healthcare professionals and dentists
should work together to root out the causes of TMJ pain.
3. Myth: Most TMJ treatments to relieve pain are effective and have a proven
safety record.
Fact: Due to the changing nature of TMJ, the NIH recommends that TMJ remedies be non-invasive and “conservative, reversible treatments.” NIH advises that if the prescribed treatments are ineffective or even get worse, the patient should return to the dentist, doctor, or other healthcare provider for additional treatment or medications.
4. Myth: TMJ’s causes and symptoms are well-researched and healthcare professionals
receive the appropriate training to understand TMJ pain.
Fact: TMJ research is still relatively new. True, there’s been some investment in understanding how to help patients get TMJ relief, but there’s still much more work to be done in this area since healthcare professionals aren’t getting enough training based on TMJ evidence.
10 Things To Avoid With TMJ
Sometimes painful TMJ symptoms seem to come from out of nowhere. One minute someone’s enjoying a nice meal and the next minute they realize their jaw is popping. After receiving a positive TMJ diagnosis, it may feel like those symptoms are only getting more uncomfortable.
If someone is experiencing TMJ pain that isn’t getting better, that sufferer should ask themselves if they’re doing anything that’s making the symptoms worse. Here are 10 things that could make TMJ symptoms and pain worse:
- Tearing off bottle caps with the teeth.
- Bad posture that puts extra pressure on the muscles around the face, shoulder, back, and neck.
- Habitually chewing gum, ice, or anything sticky.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth, especially during the day. A mouthguard can discourage the grinding or clenching while sleeping.
- Overworking the muscles around the mouth by taking extra large bites of food.
- Absent-mindedly chewing on objects like pencils and pens.
- Falling asleep on the stomach.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages or even coffee.
- Biting one’s nails.
- Excessively moving the jaw.
This list is not exhaustive. Many of these actions are done unconsciously by people who do them out of habit. Anyone who experiences any of these behaviors should consider returning to their dentist or family doctor to find out how to get TMJ relief.
TMJ Relief Self-Care Options
TMJ may arrive with a sudden pain but the symptoms can simply disappear on their own. For TMJ sufferers who want to treat their symptoms at home, dentists and physicians recommend using moist heat cloths and cold packs on the face. Because much of TMJ impacts the muscles that assist in chewing food, sufferers can get TMJ pain relief by eating soft foods that reduce the pain of chewing. Soups and pastas are easier to take and can reduce mouth pain. Another way to reduce the pain of chewing is to cut up food into smaller bites or portions.
Someone with TMJ symptoms should consult with their dentist or healthcare provider to get prescription medications. Or, a sufferer can buy over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen. Bottom line, before seeing a dentist or doctor about TMJ, a sufferer should go to the appointment prepared with questions in advance.
Painful TMJ symptoms don’t have to ruin anyone’s life. Understanding what causes TMJ pain and what habits make the pain worse can restore someone to a healthy, pain-free life. If someone suspects they have TMJ, contact the Dental Health Society to make an appointment.