Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders refer to a group of conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. It allows you to move your jaw up and down and side to side, enabling you to talk, chew, and yawn.
Symptoms of TMJ disorders can vary widely and may include:
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw joint area, face, neck, or shoulders.
- Difficulty or discomfort when chewing.
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing the mouth.
- Locking of the jaw joint, making it difficult to open or close the mouth fully.
- Jaw muscle stiffness.
- Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus).
- Headaches or migraines.
The exact cause of TMJ disorders is often difficult to determine, but several factors may contribute to their development, including:
- Trauma or injury to the jaw joint or muscles.
- Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), which places excessive stress on the TMJ.
- Misalignment of the teeth or jaw.
- Arthritis in the TMJ.
- Stress or anxiety, which can cause muscle tension in the jaw.