Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly called TMJ, affects the jaw joint and muscles controlling jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint functions to connect your lower jaw to the temporal bone located at the side of your head. This allows the jaw to open and close and enables you to chew, yawn and talk. TMJ disorder causes malfunctioning of your jaw muscles, making it painful and difficult to open the jaw.
TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is characterized by pain in the jaw and surrounding areas and the limited ability to open the jaw. Other symptoms of TMJ include ear pain, popping sounds in the jaw joint, headaches and swelling of the side of your face. Although not all causes of TMJ are known, some causes include grinding of your teeth, stressed-induced muscle tension in the neck and shoulder areas and an uneven bite.
Diet
Eating a soft diet can help treat TMJ. Soft foods are easier to chew and will put less stress on your jaw, allowing the muscles and joints to rest. Soft foods that can be eaten include eggs, soft cheeses, potatoes, cooked cereal, soups and vegetables that are well-cooked. Any foods that can be blended can also be included in a soft diet.
Exercise
If you have TMJ, doing exercises for your jaw can help loosen the muscles and help with stiffness. Exercises can include gentle jaw stretching and relaxing exercises that help to increase jaw movement. Your physician and a physical therapist can recommend exercises based on your individual needs. In addition to jaw exercises, regular physical activity can help alleviate stress that can lead to TMJ.
Other Considerations
In addition to diet and exercise, other methods can be used to treat TMJ. These include applying moist heat to the jaw area two times a day, applying ice-packs, stabilization splints to help correct your bite and prevent grinding of your teeth while sleeping and pain medication. Botox in small doses has also been used, though it has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat TMJ. Symptoms of TMJ sometimes last only for a short period of time, but if they don't or continue to worsen, notify your physician.
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