TMD is a painful condition that affects the jaw muscles and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which control movements of your mouth, jaw, and head. The exact cause isn’t always clear, but it may be due to too much strain on the jaw joints and muscle group that controls chewing, swallowing, and speech. Teeth grinding, called bruxism, is one common cause of TMD. Trauma to the jaw or head, arthritis in the joint, or displacement of the TMJ disk can also cause pain. TMD symptoms can also be related to other medical conditions such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome.Read more:baybreezedentistry.com

TMJs are special because they are hinge-like joints that allow movement in three dimensions. They connect the lower jaw, the mandible, to the temporal bone of the skull on each side of the face and are separated by a shock-absorbing disc made of cartilage. Two large pairs of muscles in the cheeks and temples move the lower jaw.

Living with TMD: Tips for Managing Discomfort and Improving Quality of Life

Many patients with TMD notice a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing their mouths or moving the jaw. Clicking by itself doesn’t indicate TMD because one third of all people have jaw joints that click, but when accompanied by pain or restricted jaw movement, it is a sign of TMD.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, oral or dental treatments, and medications. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can relieve pain and swelling. In severe cases, physicians in Boston Children’s Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program can perform surgical procedures to break up adhesions and relieve pain.