TMJ
TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint, which is the name for each joint (right and left) that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ disorders are a family of problems related to the jaw joint.
TMJ disorders develop for many reasons. You might clench or grind your teeth, tightening your jaw muscles and stressing your TM joint. You may have a damaged jaw joint due to an injury or disease. Injuries and arthritis can damage the joint directly or stretch or tear the muscle ligaments. Whatever the cause, the results may include a misaligned bite, pain, clicking or grating noise when you open your mouth, or trouble opening your mouth wide.
The more times you answer "yes" to the following, the more likely it is that you have a TMJ disorder:
- Are you aware of grinding or clenching your teeth?
- Do you wake up with sore, stiff muscles around your jaws?
- Do you have frequent headaches or neck aches?
- Does the pain get worse when you clench your teeth?
- Does stress make your clenching and pain worse?
- Does your jaw click, pop, grate, catch, or lock when you open your mouth?
- Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth, eat or yawn?
- Have you ever injured your neck, head or jaws?
- Have you had problems (such as arthritis) with other joints?
- Do you have teeth that no longer touch when you bite?
- Do your teeth meet differently from time to time?
- Is it hard to use your front teeth to bite or tear food?
- Are your teeth sensitive, loose, broken or worn?
Please consult with your health care provider, or visit our Resources page to locate an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon near you.
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