Do you notice a clicking or popping sound when you chew food? If so, you might have temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the jaw. While a clicking or popping jaw can be one of the early signs of a TMJ issue, there are other more serious symptoms that can follow. Here’s a quick rundown of what TMD is and how your dentist can help you treat it if you are experiencing it.
What is TMJ Disorder?
A TMJ disorder occurs when there is an issue with the temporomandibular joint, which is the joint at which the jawbone connects to the temporal bone on the skull on each side of your face.
A soft cartilage disk cushions the joint so it can move smoothly. TMJ issues can result if there are issues with either of the bones, the cartilage disk or any of the surrounding tissue.
Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorder
Many people associate a clicking or popping of the jaw as the only symptom of TMD, but there are other symptoms, many of which can be painful or serious. Some other symptoms include:
- Pain in the jaw, joint or surrounding tissue
- Earaches, pain or popping sounds in the ear
- Localized headaches or temple pain
- Stiff or sore jaw muscles
- Locking of the jaw
While most of the symptoms of TMJ disorder are usually mild, they can be moderate or even severe in some cases. Symptoms are usually quite short-lived but can be prolonged in more serious cases.
Causes of TMD
While it is often difficult to pinpoint exactly what causes TMJ disorder, researchers believe some of the more common causes include:
- Damage to the bone or cartilage disk from a sudden impact to the face
- Longer term deterioration to the bone or disk caused by arthritis or other chronic conditions
- Excessive chewing (i.e. chewing gum) or habitual chewing like on a pencil or pen
- Stress, which can cause clenching or grinding of the teeth
- Tooth or gum issues such as missing or misaligned teeth or improperly fitting dental devices like dentures
The Best Way to Deal with TMJ Disorder
Given the broad range of factors that could contribute to or cause TMD, a visit to your family dentist is always a good starting place for dealing with TMD and other disorders of the mouth. Your dentist can take a comprehensive look at your mouth and identify probable causes and offer the best remedies.
In the shorter term, you might try and rest your jaw and refrain from excessive chewing. Warm or cold compresses may help manage the pain associated with TMD, as may over-the-counter pain management medications like aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
But while these remedies may offer short-term relief, if your TMJ disorder symptoms prevail, it is best to book an appointment with your family dentist and have them take a closer look.
If you’re experiencing a popping or clicking jaw, you might have an issue related to your temporomandibular joint of your jaw. While the condition is typically mild and short-lived, it can become quite painful and require the intervention of your family dentist to determine the appropriate course of action to resolve it. Orion Dental offers a full range of dental services for the whole family, so if you or anyone in your family is experiencing any popping or pain in the jaw, we’d love to help! Contact either our Milton dental office or our Scarborough dental office to book an appointment and let us help!
