Revathi (age 32), a yoga instructor by profession, came to my clinic last Wednesday. She looked a bit scared.
"Dr. Priya, every time I eat, I hear a 'clicking/popping' sound coming from my left jaw. On top of that, I've had a dull ache that's been spreading from my ear to my entire face for the past three weeks. I can't open my mouth wide or chew my food," Revathi explained her problem.
I examined her jaw joint and explained: "Revathi, you are suffering from a condition known in medical science as TMJ Dysfunction (TMD) . There is a very complex joint that connects the jawbone to our skull, located in front of both sides of the ear. This is called the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) . This is caused by a displacement of the cartilage disc in the joint, unconscious grinding of the teeth at night (Bruxism), or tightening of the jaw muscles due to severe mental stress. Today, let's see what simple remedies and exercises can be done at home for this condition."
đ¨ Red Flags that require immediate medical attention
Jaw pain is usually not dangerous and will resolve within a few months. However, if you experience any of the following warning signs, you should see an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon immediately:
- Locked Jaw - This is when the jaw bone is stuck in one place, unable to fully open or close the mouth.
- Severe swelling around the jaw joint, redness of the skin, and high fever (these may be signs of septic arthritis, a joint infection).
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing (this may not be a problem with the jaw joint, but a sign of a severe dental infection spreading to the neck area).
- Tension and pain after a serious accident or blow to the face or jaw (possibly a fracture).
The main causes of temporomandibular joint dysfunction
- Teeth grinding (Bruxism): Excessive pressure on the joint due to the habit of unconsciously clenching or grinding your teeth during sleep.
- Stress: Excessive stress can cause the jaw muscles to tighten unconsciously.
- Arthritis: Degeneration of cartilage in the joint due to conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Bad Posture: Sitting in front of the computer with your head bent forward for long periods of time can cause imbalance in the neck and jaw joints.
- Chewing habits: Frequent chewing of gum or chewing on hard objects such as pens and nails.
Simple healing remedies and exercises that can be done at home
Physical therapy can help you relieve jaw pain at home by:
1.Heat/Cold Therapy: Apply heat for 15 minutes twice a day to relax the muscles around the jaw joint. Apply ice if there is swelling.
2. Soft Diet: Avoid hard foods that are difficult to chew (fruits, meat, nuts), and only offer soft foods such as steamed vegetables, soup, eggs, and porridge.
3. Resistive Jaw Exercises: Place your index finger under your chin and slowly open your mouth. At the same time, provide resistance by pushing your chin up with your finger. This strengthens the jaw muscles.
4. Jaw relaxation exercises: Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and slowly open and close your mouth so that your teeth do not touch each other.
Do's & Don'ts
| âī¸ Things to do (Do) | â Don'ts |
|---|---|
| Always keep your upper and lower teeth apart so that they are not touching each other. | Completely avoid chewing gum, nails, or objects like pens. |
| When opening the mouth, support the chin with your hand to avoid putting pressure on the jaw joint. | Avoid biting directly into foods like large apples with your mouth wide open (eat them in pieces). |
| Use a mouth guard/bite splint that can be worn at night, as recommended by your dentist, to control tooth grinding. | Do not continue to take painkillers without medical advice when you are in pain. |
â Some other questions you may have (FAQ)
Is a 'ticking' sound from the jaw joint always a medical condition that needs to be treated? âŧ
No. If only noise is produced by the jaw joint and there is no pain, difficulty opening the mouth, or jaw stiffness, it is a normal condition and does not require treatment.
Is surgery necessary for temporomandibular joint dysfunction? âŧ
No. More than 90% of patients with TMJ problems recover successfully with simple non-surgical treatments (mouth guard, physical therapy, stress management). Surgery is recommended only in rare cases where there is severe damage to the joint structure.
What are the medical treatments for teeth grinding (bruxism) during sleep? âŧ
A Bite Splint or Mouth Guard, custom-made by a dentist to fit your teeth, can be worn at night. This prevents your teeth from grinding together and greatly reduces the pressure on your jaw joint.
Why do jaw pain and headaches occur together? âŧ
The jaw joint is located very close to the ear canal. The muscles associated with the jaw joint also extend to the temples. Therefore, inflammation and tension in the jaw muscles can be felt by the patient as earache and headache.
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