Revathi, a 32-year-old yoga teacher, came to my clinic with a slightly puzzled expression on her face. “Dr. Priya, every time I eat, I hear a thumping sound in my throat. Not only that, but I’ve also been having a sore throat for the past few days. It’s driving me crazy,” she said, running her hand through her hair. As if it was a big problem for her.
I smiled a little, trying to calm her down. “It’s not just you, Revathi, many people have problems with that jaw joint. It’s called the Temporomandibular Joint, or TMJ . That joint is what connects your jaw to your skull. So when it’s not working properly, problems like that can occur. Let’s talk a little more about what’s happening to you. I’ll tell you how to help it.”
Revathi's case is a bit typical of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, or TMJ Dysfunction . That is, a problem with the jaw joint. When it occurs, things like jaw pain and clicking noises occur. Sometimes it becomes difficult to open or close your mouth. Let's now see what TMJ Dysfunction is, what are its causes, what are its symptoms, and how to treat it properly.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction?
The temporomandibular joint is like a hinge that slides. It's where your jawbone connects to your skull. TMJ dysfunction occurs when there's a problem with this joint or the muscles around it. That's when the pain starts, and you can't move your jaw properly.
TMJ Dysfunction can cause pain in the jaw, a clicking sound, and sometimes the jaw can become stuck. This is not a serious problem most of the time, but it is annoying. Therefore, it is good to get proper treatment for this. Then we can improve the quality of our lives.
“So, Doctor, does that mean this isn't a big deal?” Revathi asked, a little relieved.
“Most of the time, no,” I explained to him. “But if you ignore it, it can make it difficult for you to eat, talk, and even open your mouth. But the good news is, it can be improved with small lifestyle changes and treatment.”
What causes TMJ dysfunction?
Revathi leaned forward a little and asked, "What caused this, Doctor Priya? Did I do something wrong?"
“No, it’s not,” I replied. “There can be several causes of TMJ dysfunction. Sometimes it can be caused by an accident to your jaw. Other times it can be caused by habits like clenching and grinding your teeth.”
Here are some of the causes of TMJ dysfunction:
- Bruxism (teeth grinding): Grinding your teeth at night can put pressure on your jaw joint and cause TMJ disorders.
- Stress : When under a lot of stress, some people unconsciously tighten their jaw muscles.
- Jaw injuries: A blow to the jaw can damage the Temporomandibular Joint.
- Arthritis: Some people may experience swelling and pain in the TMJ due to arthritis .
- Poor posture: Believe it or not, if you have poor posture while sitting for long periods of time, it can also disrupt the alignment of your hip joint.
A study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation found that people who are under a lot of stress are more likely to develop TMJ dysfunction. This is due to the tension in their jaws and the habit of grinding their teeth.
What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction?
I asked Revathi to describe the symptoms she was experiencing. “I hear a clicking sound in my jaw every time I eat,” she said. “Sometimes my jaw gets stuck for a few seconds. It hurts the most near my ear.”
The symptoms of TMJ dysfunction can vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Headache: This pain can spread to the ears, face, and neck.
- Ticking sound: One of the main characteristics of this is that it makes a ticking sound when opening and closing the mouth.
- Difficulty eating: You may feel pain or discomfort when eating.
- Hook getting stuck: Sometimes the hook can get stuck either when it is open or when it is closed.
- Headaches : TMJ disorders can cause muscle fatigue and headaches.
Diagnosis: How do you know if this is TMJ Dysfunction?
Revathi wanted to know how she could diagnose this condition. “Do I need to get an X-ray ?” she asked.
“Most of the time, we diagnose TMJ dysfunction by examining it,” I explained to him. “I’ll tell you to open and close your mouth. Then I’ll see if there’s a sound I can hear. I’ll also look at where it hurts and if it’s hard to open or close your mouth.”
Sometimes we have to do things like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans . Then we can take a good look inside the joint. But that's only to see if there's a bigger problem.
Treatment: How to treat TMJ dysfunction?
“How can I make this better?” Revathi asked, wanting to get over this quickly.
I calmed him down, "There are many things that can be done about this. Most people get better with simple things."
Here are the things you can do:
Things you can do yourself
- Give your mouth a rest: Don't chew too much, open your mouth wide, or do things like open an abacus.
- Apply an ice pack or heat pack: A heat pack will relax the muscles. An ice pack will reduce swelling.
- Maintain good posture: Sitting properly reduces pressure on the hip joint.
- Avoid eating hard, hard-to-chew foods: Eat only soft foods that are easy to chew.
Exercises to strengthen the hips
I taught Revathi a simple exercise. It's called the "chewing a piece of wood" exercise.
- Find a piece of soft wood about 15 cm long and 1.5 cm wide.
- Place it inside your mouth and hold it by the last two teeth (molars/second molars).
- Then chew it vigorously, as if you are grinding your teeth, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Do this at least three times a day.
This exercise strengthens the jaw muscles, which can help reduce pain over time. Studies in The Journal of Orofacial Pain have found that these exercises can reduce TMJ pain and improve jaw function.
Medical treatment
In some serious cases, you may need to take medication:
- Corticosteroid injections: These reduce swelling in the joint.
- Muscle relaxants: These reduce the tension in the muscles of the jaw.
- Surgery: Surgery is very rare, and only if there is a serious problem with the joint.
Lifestyle changes to stop TMJ dysfunction from developing
“Revathi, you need to make some small changes in your lifestyle to stop this problem from happening again,” I advised her.
- Reduce stress: Do things like yoga and meditation. This will reduce teeth grinding.
- Wear a mouth guard: If you grind your teeth at night, see a doctor and get a mouth guard that fits you. It will protect your jaw joint.
- Maintain good posture: Sit properly, especially if you work at a desk for a long time.
A study in The International Journal of Prosthodontics found that using a mouthguard reduces TMJ disorders in people who grind their teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Dysfunction
Will TMJ Dysfunction get better on its own?
Sometimes it gets better on its own. But if you do the things I said, you'll get better quickly.
Is TMJ Dysfunction a big problem?
Most of the time this is not a big problem. But it is annoying. That's why it's good to fix this. Then the quality of our lives will improve.
What foods should you avoid if you have TMJ dysfunction?
Avoid hard-to-chew foods, raw vegetables, nuts, and hard-to-chew candies. Eat only soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, and eggs .
Does stress cause TMJ dysfunction?
Yes, stress can increase tension in the jaws, causing teeth grinding and TMJ dysfunction.
Is surgery necessary for TMJ dysfunction?
Surgery is very rare. Most of the time, the things I mentioned will get you better.
Finally
Revathi left my clinic that day feeling a little relieved. She promised to do the exercises I had told her to do and to change her lifestyle. “Thank you so much, Dr. Priya,” she said with a smile. “Now I feel better knowing that there are things I can do about this.”
I feel so happy helping patients like Revathi. That's why I love this job. My job is to help people take responsibility for their health, improve the quality of their lives, and make them better.
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