Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD)

What is the Temporomandibular Joint?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a joint that slides and rotates just in front of your ear, consisting of the temporal bone (side and base of the skull) and the mandible (lower jaw)
Mastication (chewing) muscles connect the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your jaw forward, sideways, and open and close
The joint works properly when the lower jaw and its joint (both the right and left) are synchronized during movement
Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements
These movements affect the jaw joint and the muscles that control chewing

What is Temporomandibular Disorder?

TMD describes a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and nerves associated with chronic facial pain
Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury
TMD affects more than twice as many women than men and is the most common non-dental related chronic orofacial pain

What causes TMD?

Normal function for this muscle group includes chewing, swallowing, and communication
Most experts suggest that certain tasks, either mental or physical, cause or aggravate
TMD, such as strenuous physical tasks or stressful situations
Most discomfort is caused from overuse of the muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (bruxism)
These excessive habits tire the jaw muscles and lead to discomfort, such as headaches or neck pain
Additionally, abnormal function can lead to worn or sensitive teeth, traumatized soft tissues, muscle soreness, jaw discomfort when eating, and temporal (side) headaches

What are the symptoms of TMD?

An earache without an infection
Jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
Clicking when opening and closing your mouth
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Locked or stiff jaw when you talk, yawn or eat
Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found

What can I do to treat TMD?

The majority of cases can be treated by unloading (resting) the joint, taking a non-aspirin pain reliever and practicing stress management and relaxation techniques
Most treatment for TMD is simple, often can be done at home, and does not need surgery
For example, control clenching or grinding during the day by sticking your tongue between your teeth
If you still experience pain, you may be grinding or clenching your teeth at night, so see your dentist for a nighttime mouth guard
Most people will experience relief with minor treatment
More severe cases may be treated with physical therapy, ice and hot packs, posture training and orthopedic appliance therapy (splint)
Eating soft foods and avoiding chewing gum also help relax the muscles

Is TMD permanent?

The condition is often cyclical and may recur during times of stress, good or bad
You should be active in your treatment by being aware of the causes of your jaw problems after seeing a dentist for a diagnosis regime
Make routine dental appointments so your doctor can check TMD on a regular basis

Reprinted with permission from the Academy of General Dentistry

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Health Tip:

Packing Bag Lunches Safely

If you pack lunches for your child to take to school, be careful that you do not accidentally expose them to foodborne illness.

Bagged lunches, especially those containing perishable foods, need to be packed and handled properly in order to keep the food safe. In general, perishable foods should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours. If left out too long, the temperature of the food can enter the danger zone where bacteria grow most rapidly, which is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Below are some tips to help families pack bagged lunches safely:

Pack foods that are nonperishable and won't require refrigeration.
If you do pack perishable foods such as luncheon meats or prepackaged cheese and crackers, include a frozen gel pack or a frozen juice carton with the food in an insulated lunch bag or box.
Pack only the amount of perishable food that your child can eat at lunch.
Preparing lunches the night before and storing them in the refrigerator until you pack your child's lunchbox in the morning can help keep food cold longer the next day.
Don't reuse packaging materials such as paper or plastic bags, aluminum foil, etc. as they can contaminate other foods and cause foodborne illness. Have your child discard all used food packaging and paper bags after lunch.

Before eating lunch or snacks at school, make sure your child washes his or her hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If your child's school does not have a handwashing program in place, encourage them to adopt a such a program, as handwashing is one of the best ways kids and parents can protect health and stop the spread of germs.