An Overview Of TMD - Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD): Meaning

Teeth are requiring the simplest of care consists of a few very complicated structures. Every joint associated with our teeth also requires as much as care our teeth demands on a regular basis.

One such joint is our Temporomandibular Joint.

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) is a muscle that joins our jaw bone to the skull and allows us to move our jaws up-down and sideways. It's because of it that we are able to move our mouth the way we desire.  When you feel pain in the jaw muscle or while moving your mouth, it's when you should know that you are suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction/disorder.

It causes severe pain which could be temporary, i.e., for a short period of time, or could last for years. A person having this disorder has a problem in moving his/her jaws. They are unable to speak properly and if try to speak their jaws starts to pain. It's a common disorder that many people ignore thinking it's a normal pain that would go by taking an antibiotic.

Sometimes, simple treatment is just not enough, and you need urgent surgery to get rid of the pain. It's usual in both adults and children and therefore doesn't depend on age. You could be young still suffering from TMJ disorder. However, the causes might differ in younger people and adults.

Causes Of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

It's not easy to examine the exact cause of the disorder. There can be many reasons for your pain. When you go to a doctor, he/she starts the treatment only after testing you thoroughly and knowing the cause. The causes are different in children and adults. In younger people, it's mostly due to injuries in the jaws, joints or sometimes stress.

While in adults, this could be due to arthritis which affects all the joints of your body, injuries in the jaw muscle, mouth and head, dislocation of the jaw muscle due to an accident. Genetics is also a reason why you might be feeling a twinge of pain in your jaws. 

It's possible that your parents had it, so you have it too. Also, clenching and grinding of teeth from time to time which puts a lot of pressure on your jaws may also result in TMJ Disorder.

Symptoms Of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

How does a person know they have the temporomandibular joint disorder? It's by looking at the following symptoms:

1. When you feel pain in your jaws and temporomandibular joints.

2. Difficulty in speaking and chewing, and you feel unbearable facial pain

3. You feel pain in your shoulders, neck, and whole of your upper body especially the head area. 

4. A headache is another reason. If you feel your head is heavy most of the time of the day, then you probably should get it checked.

5. If you feel pain in your tooth, then you shouldn't ignore the pain. A toothache is another common symptom of TMJ disorder.

6. While moving your jaws if you hear popping and clicking it could be due to a jaw injury.

SEE ALSO: Oral Surgery - Procedure, Steps Involved, And Advantages

Preventions And Treatment Of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction

TMJ Dysfunction is a common disease which shouldn't be taken lightly. It's important to get it treated and taken care without wasting any time. There are some preventive measures to keep TMJ disorder in control:

1. Keep your face relaxed to avoid pain.

2. Chew food properly using both sides of your mouth.

3. Don't grind or clench your teeth much as it put lots of pressure on your jaws.

4. Stretching and moving joints to minimize the pain.

5. Avoid eating hard food items or chewing hard objects like a pen or pencil, fingernails.

6. Don't use a laptop in a sleeping position. Also, avoid using phone and laptop more.

Visit a doctor if you feel you have unbearable pain. He'll prescribe some medicines which should be taken on the advised time. Also, sometimes medicines are not effective enough so surgery might be required. They help in repairing the joints. Botox and steroids injection is also used to minimize the joint pain in your jaw muscle.

Dr. Kevin Speer, a dentist in Milwaukie, City in Oregon, suggests giving importance on visiting a doctor after every six months to ensure proper working of the body. Doctors prevent the diseases from spreading further into your body and help to live life healthily.