Other Names:
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome

Symptoms:
Pain in the muscles and joints of the jaws, which can radiate to the face and neck. There is a frequent clenching of the jaws.

Possible headache, toothaches, dizziness, pain and ringing in the ears, and pressure behind the eyes

When eating or yawning, there is a clicking, grinding, and popping noise, and perhaps pain. There may be difficulty in opening and closing the jaws.

Cause:
The bite is misaligned, either as a cause of the jaw problem or as an effect. The cartilage disk that cushions the joint becomes damaged. This causes the bones of the temporomandibular joint to rub against one another instead of gliding smoothly past each other. If the tooth repair or replacements have not been done properly, this can be a factor in causing the problem.

Stress, a poor bite, and bruxism are the most frequent causes. Some people develop the habit of clenching their teeth together during the day and/or at night. Called bruxism (which see), this is very hard on the joint in the jaw.

An injury, poor dental work, osteoarthritis, bad posture, repeated or hard blows to the jaw or chin, whiplash, gum chewing, thumb sucking, chewing on only one side of the mouth, or holding the phone between the shoulder and jaw.

Treatment:
• Hot and cold (or hot or cold) packs will help relieve pain in the neck and shoulders.

• A diet rich in the B complex is important. Also calcium, magnesium, silicon, zinc, lecithin, and flaxseed oil.

• Avoid sugar foods, which deplete calcium and other minerals.

• Avoid smoking and do not eat meat.

• Learn to relax and avoid stressful thinking or situations.

• If you sit a lot, relax and maintain good posture. Do not hunch over and strain.

• Do not sleep on your side or lie on your side with your head turned to the side.

• Do not prop your head at an angle (especially in bed) when reading, talking, or watching television.

• Do not chew bits of food when the meal is over. Do not chew gum.

• Fast once a month, to give the body and jaws a rest so rebuilding can take place.

• Orthodontists, dentists, physical therapists, and other specialists offer treatments for TMJ. But it is estimated that 90% of all cases respond well to simple, inexpensive, treatments.