What is temporomandibular disorders?

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are problems with the muscles and joints that connect your jaw to your skull. These problems cause pain when you talk, chew, swallow, or yawn. You may feel this pain on one or both sides.

TMDs are often caused by tight jaw muscles. The tightness can be caused by clenching or grinding your teeth.

Lowering stress may help relax your jaw and reduce your pain. Your doctor may suggest a dental splint. Splints can help protect the teeth from grinding and clenching.

You may be able to do some things at home to feel better. If that doesn't work for you, your doctor may prescribe medicine to help relax your muscles and control the pain.

What happens when you have a TMD varies depending on the reason for the muscle tension.

A one-time overuse injury (such as holding your mouth open for a long time during a dental exam) may go away without treatment.

Ongoing (chronic) muscle tension (such as stress, a jaw injury, or grinding teeth during sleep) may be relieved by treatment. If chronic muscle tension isn't treated, it may change the joint structure over time or lead to osteoarthritis.

TMDs caused by problems in the structure of the jaw joint may respond well to early treatment. They may get worse without treatment.

TMDs can affect the jaw and jaw joint as well as muscles in the face, shoulder, head, and neck. Common symptoms include joint pain in the face, muscle pain in the face, earaches, headaches, joint sounds, trouble with fully opening the mouth, and the jaw locking.

The focus of treatment is to ease pain in the jaw joint and restore jaw movement. Using techniques to relax your muscles and manage stress may also help, such as cognitive behavior therapy and acupuncture.

Dental splints may be used. Splints are often pieces of plastic that fit between the upper and lower teeth. They help protect the teeth from grinding and clenching.

Physical therapy can help if your symptoms are caused by tight muscles. Physical therapy can help you stretch and release tight muscles and scar tissue.

Your doctor may suggest medicines. In some cases, the doctor may inject numbing medicine into the spot that hurts.

Most people don't need dental work or surgery. Surgery may be used if you have structural problems in your jaw joint.

Dental splints are the most common dental treatment for temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). These splints are used for short periods of time. They don't cause permanent changes in the teeth or jaw.

Dental splints, also called occlusal splints, include bite plates and mouth guards. They are custom-made by a dentist. They are typically made of clear plastic. They fit between and over the upper and lower teeth.

Dental splints can help ease muscle tension and stabilize the jaw. They do this by preventing grinding and clenching of the jaw (bruxism) that might be causing muscle tension and pain.

Splints are worn mostly at night. That's because people tend to clench or grind their teeth during sleep. It may not be easy to get used to wearing and caring for your splint, but it's an important treatment that may last for 3 months or more.

In cases of disc displacement and muscle spasm, you may be advised to wear a splint during the day and at night for about 2 weeks, and then only at night during times of stress and pain. This may allow a displaced disc to return to its normal position.

Many people who have TMDs find splint therapy helpful for treating pain and muscle tension.

Your doctor may do a physical exam and ask questions about your health. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may also be done. These tests can help check for bone or soft tissue problems related to symptoms of a TMD.

• Put an ice pack or a warm, moist cloth on your jaw for 15 minutes. Do this several times a day. Try switching back and forth between moist heat and cold.
• Ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Choose softer foods, such as eggs, yogurt, soup, or pureed foods. Try to avoid hard foods. Cut food into small pieces.
• If it doesn't cause pain, practice relaxing your jaw. Gently open and close your mouth. Move your jaw straight up and down. Do this for a few minutes every morning and evening. Watching yourself in a mirror can help.
• Have good posture. Try to line up your ears, shoulders, and hips when sitting and standing.
• Learn to manage your stress. Try:
  • Relaxation techniques. These may include taking slow, deep breaths, and mindful meditation. It may include progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, tai chi, and qi gong.
  • Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days to relieve stress. Try walking.
• Try not to:
  • Hold a phone between your shoulder and your jaw.
  • Open your mouth all the way, like when you sing loudly or yawn.
  • Clench or grind your teeth, bite your lips, or chew your fingernails.
  • Clench things between your teeth, such as pens, pipes, or cigars.

Physical therapy:

• Is frequently used in combination with medicine, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants.
• May be recommended if symptoms are not relieved with home treatment and are related to muscle tension.
• Is used after surgery to promote healing and reduce pain and swelling.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are problems with jaw movement and pain in and around the jaw joints. This can cause pain when you talk, chew, swallow, yawn, or do other movements with your mouth or jaw. TMDs are also called TMJ or TM problems.

TMDs are caused by tight muscles, often triggered by stress. When you're stressed, you may be in the habit of clenching or grinding your teeth, chewing gum too often, or biting your nails. These habits can tire the jaw muscles and lead to a cycle of muscle spasms, tissue damage, pain, sore muscles, and more spasms.

TMDs can start when there's a problem with the joint itself, such as:

• Scar tissue or bone damage caused by an injury to the jaw.
• Problems with how the joint is shaped.
• Joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
• Shifting of the articular disc that cushions the joint.
• Tumors.