You may be experiencing difficulty with crunchy or chewy foods, or taking larger bites…
Perhaps yawning has become painful…
Your sleep might be disrupted as you find you are clenching or grinding your teeth every night…
Maybe you have a headache or pain in the face that just won’t go away….
And going to the dentist has become a stressful event!
What should you do?
Let’s start with looking at what the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is. The TMJ refers to our jaw. This joint sits in front of our ears on either side of our face, and it plays an important role in our daily lives. Speaking, chewing, swallowing, yawning…this joint is constantly working! Altered parafunctional habits, like chewing on your nails, chewing gum, or clenching/grinding your teeth, as well as trauma, stress, or arthritis, can all contribute to pain in the jaw.
There are two bones that make up this joint, the mandible and the temporal bone. Between these bones sits a structure called the articular disk, and the joint is held together by many ligaments and a joint capsule. In addition, there are many important muscles that impact the function of the jaw. Any of these structures can be involved when it comes to jaw pain.
When irritated, the TMJ can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These can include:
- Pain or sensory changes in the face, ear, teeth, jaw, neck or shoulders
- Headaches
- Pressure, fullness, or tinnitus (ringing) in the ears
- Reduced movement in the jaw (opening, side to side movement, or locking)
- Joint noises (clicking, cracking, popping, or grinding)
- Evidence of wearing down on your teeth
If you are experiencing some of these symptoms, there is a role for physiotherapy in your recovery. Research indicates that conservative measures can improve pain, function, and quality of life for both acute jaw pain or something more chronic. Treatment can include:
- Education on lifestyle changes that can reduce stress to the joint, as well as overall stress
- Manual therapy and home exercises aimed at improving joint mobility, muscle tone, and strength
- Correction of habits that may be promoting dysfunction of the joint
- Working collaboratively with your General Practitioner or Dentist to ensure you receive comprehensive care – this may include the use of a mouthguard to protect your teeth or medications to assist in pain control
If you are experiencing new or persistent issues with your jaw, physiotherapy is a great option for pain relief and improving overall function. Please contact us if you are interested in pursuing care so we can get that jaw pain under control!
Sources:
Gonzalez-Sanchez B, Monterey PB, Ramirez-Duran MDV, Garrido-Ardila EM, Mansilla JR et al. Temporomandibular joint dysfunctions: a systematic review of treatment approaches. J Clin Med. 2023; 12(12): 4156.
Busse JW, Casassus R, Carrasco-Labra A, Durham J, Mock D, et al. Management of chronic pain associated with temporomandibular disorders: a clinical practice guideline. BMJ. 2023; 383.