Column: Snap, crack, pop when you yawn might be TMJ
Do you notice unusual clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth? Is it difficult or painful to open your mouth or yawn? Does your jaw occasionally lock open or closed?
If so, you might have what’s known as “TMJ,” a temporomandibular joint disorder — a problem of the chewing muscles, the jaw joint or both.
You immediately should schedule an appointment to see your dentist for a consultation and examination if you are experiencing any of these TMJ symptoms:
- Unusual sounds: Clicking, grinding or popping sounds when you open your mouth, which might or might not be accompanied by pain.
- Locking or limited movement: The jaw joint sometimes might lock in an open or closed position and you might have difficulty opening your mouth either because the joint is locked or because of pain.
- “Ear” pain: You might think you have an ear infection, but ear pain might be related to jaw joint inflammation or muscle tenderness.
- Headaches: Your dentist can help to determine if your specific headache symptoms are a result of TMJ.
- Morning stiffness or soreness: If your jaw muscles are stiff and sore when you wake up, it might by a sign that you are clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep.
- Difficulty chewing: You might have difficulty chewing as a result of a change in the way your upper and lower teeth fit together.
- Previous injuries and related conditions: An injury to the jaw joint can lead to TMJ symptoms as can arthritis in the joint.
- A feeling of fullness of the ears or ringing in the ears also might be related to TMJ.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your dentist. Your dentist will test your ability to open and close your jaw, examine other jaw movements and feel the jaw joint and muscles for pain or tenderness. X-rays often are taken to look at the jaw joint and to rule out other diseases.
While I recommend that you discuss any TMJ symptoms with your dentist, know that occasional discomfort in the jaw joint and chewing muscles is quite common and usually not a cause for concern. However, if you are diagnosed with TMJ, the good news is that there are highly effective, non-evasive ways to relieve the discomfort. These practices include eating soft foods, applying heat or ice packs and avoiding extreme jaw movements. Other conservative treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy and custom-fit oral appliances made by your dentist.
Some people also find relief in yoga, stress-reduction programs and special diets and exercises. All these could break your routine of stress and tension that might be contributing to your TMJ problem.
From marshfieldnewsherald.com 12-20-2010