Are you having pain near your jaw area, neck, headache, or near your ears? You could be suffering from the temporomandibular joint.

The temporomandibular joint is a joint between your jaw and your skull. When this joint gets damaged or somehow injured, it leads to a confined pain disorder, which in medical terms is called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or temporomandibular disorder (TMD).

Several reasons can cause TMJ disorders, such as teeth or jaw injury, clenching, grinding, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, arthritis, and gum chewing.

Following are the common signs and symptoms that you can experience during temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome.

• jaw pain,
• jaw clicking and popping,
• ear pain/earache,
• popping sounds in ears,
• headaches,
• stiff or sore jaw muscles,
• pain in the temple area, or
• locking of the jaw joint.

You can try home remedies to cure the pain, but it is always suggested to visit the doctor and not try out your medicines because the situation can be dire sometimes. Medical treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome involves dental splints, Botox injections, physical therapy, prescription medications, and in severe cases, surgery.

Let’s understand these disorders in more detail.

What is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a dysfunction caused by the jaw muscles and nerves’ injury or infection to the temporomandibular joint. The injury or swelling near the temporomandibular area can lead to pain while chewing, talking, or yawning.

A temporomandibular joint syndrome is also known as a temporomandibular joint disorder.

What causes TMJ syndrome?

Research is still going on still medical professionals are not entirely aware of the reason or the causes of TMD. Several factors contribute to muscle tightness and may lead to dysfunction, but it is unclear whether these factors lead to TMJ syndrome or the disorder’s result.

following are the causes that can may responsible for TMJ syndrome

• Misalignment,
• Teeth grinding,
• Poor posture,
• Stress,
• Arthritis,
• Orthodontic braces, and
• Excessive chewing gum.

What are TMJ syndrome symptoms and signs?

Although there are several symptoms, you may experience TMD symptoms, but the main is pain in the jaw joint. The joint is placed right in front of the ear, and thus the problem linked with TMD involves the face, eye, forehead, ear, or neck.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction includes

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw,
• Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus)
• Pain that feels like a toothache
• Ringing or popping sounds in the ears 
• Headaches, including migraines
• Tightness or stiffness in neck muscles
• Pain in the face or mouth, jaw, cheek, or numbness in the chin.
• Difficulty chewing

How do health care professionals diagnose TMJ syndrome?

As of now, there is no clear-cut test available to identify or diagnose TMD. But your consultant will begin the treatment by understanding your medical history and doing a physical test to determine the cause of the symptoms.

Your doctor may also send you to an otolaryngologist called an ENT specialist ( ear, nose, and throat doctor) or a dentist practicing in jaw disorders to confirm the diagnosis. Another medical treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome involves dental splints, Botox injections, physical therapy, prescription medications, and in severe cases, surgery.

The disorder is common in both men and women, and according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 10 million Americans are suffering from TMJ problems. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you are suffering from pain and need immediate assistance. We are happy to help you.