Jaw pain can be caused by trauma, oral infection or disease processes such as cancer, but a more-common cause is wear and tear of the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. The TMJ connects the mandible to the skull, directly in front of the ear, and is the most frequently used joint in the body due to chewing and talking. Overuse and misalignments of the TMJ can lead to osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is a natural supplement used for osteoarthritis symptoms, which include pain and reduced range of motion.
Causes of TMJ Pain
Because the TMJ are the most active joints in the body, misalignments, sprains and strains can progress quickly to become inflamed, painful and arthritic. According to "Professional Guide to Diseases," jaw clenching from stress, gum chewing and dental issues are the most common sources of TMJ irritation. TMJ irritation, if left untreated, will lead to premature wear and tear within the joint capsules, which is termed osteoarthritis. The hallmarks of TMJ osteoarthritis include pain in front of the ear, headaches, reduced ability to open the mouth and clicking or cracking sounds with jaw movement.
Glucosamine Defined
Glucosamine is a natural substance found within the joints of all animals and the exoskeletons of shellfish. In people, glucosamine is made by chondrocyte cells within joints and used to build nourishing compounds, called glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans, as cited in "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs." These compounds combine with collagen to make and nourish joint cartilage, which acts primarily as shock absorbers. Glucosamine and its by-products are also essential for maintaining appropriate viscosity of synovial joint fluid, which provides lubrication within "ball and socket" type joints like the TMJ.
Effects of Glucosamine
According to "Human Biochemistry and Disease," a postulated contributing cause of osteoarthritis might be the age-related decline in glucosamine production within joints, which is pronounced at age 50 and older. Therefore, glucosamine supplementation is thought to slow the progress of osteoarthritis and reduce the symptoms of pain and inflammation.
The Mayo Clinic notes that several studies of glucosamine's effects on osteoarthritis have been conducted, especially on the knees, hands and hips. The positive effects reported were pain relief and improved joint motion. The TMJ is a similar type of joint to many of those studied, but no human trials have been conducted on glucosamine's specific effects on jaw pain as of yet.
The University of Maryland Medical Center considers glucosamine to be non-toxic and quite safe, although occasional negative effects such as stomach upset, heartburn and diarrhea have been reported with its use. However, people with shellfish allergies are cautioned not to use most forms of glucosamine because they are often derived from the exoskeletons of shellfish. Glucosamine may interfere with the effects of insulin, so diabetics are cautioned also.
Types of Glucosamine
Glucosamine supplements have different formulations and manufacturing techniques. The most studied and beneficial form is glucosamine sulfate, which is stabilized with sodium. Glucosamine sulfate can also be stabilized with potassium, although it is not nearly as common as the sodium-type. N-acetyl glucosamine is a form that does not appear to be effective in treating osteoarthritis and should be avoided for this purpose. Glucosamine hydrochloride has the greatest proportion of glucosamine by weight and is a more stable compound, but it has not been studied as thoroughly. Some varieties of glucosamine hydrochloride are now made from vegetable sources, which eliminates the concern of shellfish allergies.
References
- "Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition"; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- "The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements and Herbs"; Nicola Reavley; 1999
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- Mayo Clinic: Glucosamine
- The University of Maryland Medical Center: Glucosamine
