4 Ways to Understand What Causes TMJ

1. Look Into Your Sources of Stress

Stress is the most common cause of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain. As we deal with anxiety, our bodies tend to pick certain attitudes or movements that can result in physical tension or strain. One of the most common ones is clenching or grinding your teeth. You may also be overworking your jaw in other ways, such as frequently biting your finger nails or chewing on hard foods such as jerky. Tension on the shoulders or neck can also put pressure on your jaw and cause pain in the long run.

2. Talk to Your Dentist

Nighttime teeth grinding is another common cause of TMJ pain. This may be caused by stress or can be an automated response of your body. You can verify whether you are grinding your teeth by asking your dentist to check for tooth enamel abrasion. People tend to grind specific teeth in specific locations, so only a few teeth would be affected. Dentures that don't fit properly can also cause TMJ pain or tension, as can malocclusion (badly aligned bite) and even certain types of braces.

3. Think Back to Injuries From Your Past

If you were involved in an accident that caused whiplash (cervical acceleration/deceleration), the injury may have extended to the muscles of the jaw without you even realizing it. If you didn't go through physical therapy, or even if you did and were later cleared by a doctor, you may have residual damage that could result in chronic TMJ. This is particularly true in accidents where air bags were deployed and caused severe backward thrust.

4. Review Your Medical History

Certain degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatism, affect all joints in the body, which includes the jaw. Many people, however, discount this as a common cause of TMJ. Typical signs of arthritis pain include difficulty speaking or chewing, swollen muscles around the neck area and jaw tenderness. Drugs designed to treat symptoms of these diseases should alleviate TMJ as well.