What Is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint acts as the hinge between your jaw and your skull. Damage, injury, or stress to the joint can result in a pain disorder we refer to as TMJ or sometimes TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Symptoms of TMJ
Symptoms of TMJ include:
- Jaw pain
- “Clicking” sound in the jaw joint
- Earaches
- Popping in the ears
- Sore jaw muscles
- Headaches
- Pain in the temples
- Locking of the jaw
Causes of TMJ
TMJ is most frequently caused by injury or stress to the joint. Sometimes the injury or stress could result from a preexisting condition such as certain types of arthritis or chronic teeth-grinding. Long periods of mental stress could also contribute to TMJ. In many cases, the exact cause of TMJ is unknown.
