TMJ Pain
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull, allowing your jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When this joint becomes inflamed or misaligned, it can cause pain, discomfort, and complications with jaw movement. TMJ disorder is common, affecting 5% to 12% of U.S. adults.
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What causes TMJ pain?
Experts believe TMJ pain is caused by one or a combination of the following:
- Injury or trauma to the jaw joint
- Conditions like arthritis or degenerative joint disease
- Grinding teeth (bruxism), which can put strain on the jaw muscles – this may occur habitually while awake, or unconsciously while asleep
- An uneven bite, known as malocclusion, which can put stress on the jaw muscles
- Stress and anxiety, which can lead to muscle tension and clenching
What are symptoms of TMJ pain?
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorder include
- Aching pain in the jaw joint, often made worse with chewing or clenching
- Frequent headaches – most commonly tension headaches, though sometimes TMJ can trigger migraines as well
- Pain in the face, especially around the jaw, temples, and ears
- Pain in the shoulders and neck
- Pain or discomfort while chewing
- Difficulty in fully opening or closing the mouth
- Clicking or popping sounds coming from the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
How is TMJ pain treated?
Most cases of TMJ disorders are temporary and can be remedied with simple self-care, including:
- Eating soft foods
- Applying heat or cold to the face
- Gentle mouth stretches and exercise to strengthen the jaw muscle
- Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol)
If TMJ pain does not resolve with home care, there are medical treatment options available, including:
- Physical therapy to improve strength and restore function
- Prescription medications
- Injections
- Mouthguards to prevent grinding and clenching
- Surgical procedures to fix misaligned teeth or repair jaw muscles – surgery is usually only considered as a last resort if other options fail
TMJ pain treatment at Twin Cities Pain Clinic
Twin Cities Pain Clinic specializes in administering minimally invasive corticosteroid injections to alleviate TMJ pain.
We recommend these injections be considered for temporary relief while more permanent solutions are pursued, as our clinic does not treat the root cause of TMJ pain.
Schedule an appointment with Twin Cities Pain Clinic today and learn how we can help relieve your joint pain.
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RELIEVE YOUR PAIN, RENEW YOUR LIFE!