Understanding TMJ and TMD

Jaw pain can make some of the simplest things surprisingly difficult.

Eating. Talking. Yawning. Even opening your mouth far enough to take a bite can become uncomfortable when your jaw isn't moving the way it should.

You may also notice clicking or popping, tightness around your jaw, difficulty opening your mouth, or tension that seems to extend into your face, temples or neck.

These symptoms may be associated with a temporomandibular disorder, commonly called TMD.

What's the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

The terms TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably, but they're not quite the same thing.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. You have one on each side of your face where your lower jaw connects to your skull.

TMD refers to a group of disorders involving the jaw joint, the muscles responsible for jaw movement, or the surrounding structures.

Not every click or pop means something is wrong. Jaw sounds without pain are common and don't necessarily require treatment.

When those sounds come with pain, stiffness, limited movement or locking, however, it's worth taking a closer look.

TMD Isn't Always Just About the Joint

It's easy to focus entirely on the jaw joint when your jaw hurts.

But your jaw doesn't operate by itself.

Muscles including the masseter and temporalis help control chewing and jaw movement. Those muscles can become tight and tender, particularly in people who clench or grind their teeth.

The jaw, head and neck also work together mechanically. That's why evaluating jaw pain may involve looking beyond the exact spot where you feel the discomfort.

Common Symptoms of TMD

People with TMD can experience symptoms differently, but some of the more common complaints include:

• Pain or tenderness around the jaw

• Pain while chewing

• Jaw stiffness

• Difficulty opening the mouth normally

• Jaw locking

• Painful clicking or popping

• Facial or neck pain

• Headaches associated with jaw or muscle tension

• Clenching or grinding the teeth

Some people primarily notice pain. Others first notice that their jaw simply isn't moving normally.

What About Teeth Grinding and Clenching?

Clenching and grinding can put considerable stress on the jaw muscles and teeth.

You may clench during the day without realizing you're doing it, or grind your teeth while sleeping.

If you're grinding or clenching enough to damage your teeth, a dentist needs to be part of the conversation. Dental problems, jaw-joint problems and muscular problems can overlap, and sometimes the best approach involves more than one type of provider.

How We Approach Jaw Pain at Advocate Wellness

When someone comes to Advocate Wellness with jaw pain or restricted movement, we don't assume every case has the same cause.

We look at how the jaw is moving, the surrounding muscle tension, and what's happening through the neck and nearby musculoskeletal structures.

Depending on what we find, Christian may use a combination of approaches.

Manual and Chiropractic Care

When appropriate, chiropractic and manual techniques may be used to address restricted movement and musculoskeletal tension involving the jaw and neck.

The goal isn't simply to make something "pop." It's to improve comfortable movement and address mechanical factors that may be contributing to the problem.

Trigger Point and Soft-Tissue Work

Tight, tender areas in the muscles involved in chewing and jaw movement can contribute to pain and restricted movement.

Trigger-point and other soft-tissue techniques may be used to address muscular tension around the jaw, temples and related areas.

Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy is another tool available in the office and may sometimes be incorporated into a patient's care.

Whether it makes sense depends on the individual patient and what we're trying to address. It isn't automatically necessary simply because someone has jaw pain.

Sometimes You Need More Than One Kind of Provider

TMD is not one single condition with one single cause or treatment.

Some cases are primarily muscular. Others involve the joint itself. Dental problems can produce jaw or facial pain, and other conditions can cause symptoms that resemble TMD.

That's why we don't believe every jaw problem belongs exclusively in either a chiropractic office or a dental office.

If we believe your problem needs dental or other medical evaluation, we'll tell you.

The goal is figuring out what you're dealing with and helping you find the appropriate care—not trying to make every problem fit the same treatment.

When Your Jaw Keeps Getting Your Attention

Occasional painless clicking isn't necessarily a problem.

But persistent jaw pain, painful clicking, difficulty chewing, restricted movement or a jaw that locks deserves attention.

If muscle tension and musculoskeletal dysfunction are contributing to the problem, conservative care may be one part of the solution.

At Advocate Wellness, our job is to determine whether the kind of care we provide makes sense for your particular problem—and, when it does, help you get your jaw moving more comfortably again.