TMJ

Temporomandibular Joint

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, refers to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the surrounding muscles. The TMJ is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, allowing you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, enabling actions like chewing, speaking, and yawning. TMJ disorder can cause discomfort and pain in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.

Symptoms

Jaw Pain: TMJ disorder often manifests as pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, which may be felt on one or both sides of the face.
Facial Pain :Pain or discomfort may also radiate to the face, temples, ears, or neck.
Headaches :TMJ disorder can cause tension headaches or migraines, particularly in the temples or behind the eyes.
Ear Symptoms :Earache, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), or a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ears.
Muscle Tension :Tightness, stiffness, or muscle spasms in the jaw, neck, or shoulders.
Difficulty Chewing:Discomfort or pain while chewing, and a feeling of the teeth not fitting together properly.

Causes

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) : Clenching or grinding the teeth, particularly during sleep, can put excessive strain on the TMJ and contribute to TMJ disorder.
Jaw Misalignment : An improper bite or misalignment of the teeth or jaw can strain the TMJ and lead to dysfunction.
Trauma or Injury : Previous jaw injuries, whiplash, or trauma to the head or neck area can damage the TMJ and surrounding tissues.
Arthritis : Degenerative joint diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ.
Chewing Habits : Habitual chewing of hard or tough foods, excessive gum chewing, or nail biting can strain the TMJ.

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