What is TMJ
TMJ stands for temporo-mandibular joint this is the joint the size of dime in front of your ear that connects your skull to your jawbone. When this joint becomes damaged in any fashion TMJ syndrome develops.
I developed TMJ from a blow to the face in 1984 causing my jaw to dislocate. During that period of time my mouth was locked shut opening only big enough to fit a straw in my mouth. The pain was unbelievable it not only affected my jaw, my ear and my right eye. Today I still suffer with severe headaches, and chronic ear pain. I had learned later when my pain subsided that my retina was also damaged due to the blow. In the 80’s this was not something that was checked, leaving me with no peripheral vision on the right side.
Symptoms of TMJ – the most pronounced is a loud clicking noise when chewing or yawning, pain around the joint, mouth locking open or closed, muscle spasms in the jaw, headaches, eye pain, shoulder aches and ear pain.
Causes can be many, but the most common causes are injury, grinding teeth in your sleep, arthritis in the joint, clenching teeth while awake due to anxiety or stress, chronic gum chewing.
Things to avoid if you have TMJ. Do not eat foods that cause you to overwork the jaw. Chewing gum, carrots, apples, tough meats, taffy, and suckers. The reason is rather clear, anything that causes you to open your mouth wider, work the jaw more will irritate the joint and cause pain and swelling leading to more symptoms. You should also avoid and watch your “habits”, chewing on pencils, pens, biting on toothpicks, or any candy that is sour causing the jaw to tense.
Treatment in the 80’s the first treatment of choice was to replace the joint, that is not the case as of today. Home treatments of non-surgical measures have been proven to be more effective. Your doctor may order you a bite splint, have your wisdom teeth removed to allow your teeth to settle backward and relieving tension around the joint, and remember to watch the avoidance list.
Rest your jaw if it becomes inflamed; use an ice pack to the area for 20 minutes three times a day, six times a day if it is swollen alternating with moist heat three times a day. Taking over the counter aspirin or ibuprofen also helps to decrease pain and swelling. If the pain is too severe your doctor may order you a stronger medication. Most of these anti-inflammatory medications can cause stomach upset so remember to eat or drink milk when taking them.
If the pain is too severe, or your mouth locks closed or open it is of sound advice to contact your physician for further treatment.