Also known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ), jaw muscle disorders, are a category of painful conditions which affect your jaw joint and those muscles controlling the movements of your jaw.
Although injury plays a considerable role in a number of TMJ problems, for a lot of people, the symptoms appear to start without any apparent reason.
The excellent news is that for the majority, experiencing pain in this particular area is not an indication of a serious underlying dental problem.
In general, the discomfort is infrequent and only temporary, going away with minor or no treatment at all.
Symptoms Of Jaw Muscle Disorders Sever or dull pain in the jaw joint area.
Usually, the pain is located just in front of your ear, and it could spread to the ear itself, cheek, and to your temple.
Your jaw movements might be curtailed.
There could also be some sensation of your jaw feeling stuck or a general tight feeling around the jaw area.
Jaw locking is very rare, but could occur.
Clicks or noises may occasionally be heard emanating from the jaw joint when you move your jaw or chew.
However, these noises could be normal, they only become relevant if you got other symptoms like pain or reduced jaw movement.
Owing to the fact that the your ear is located very close to the jaw joint, you could get some ear symptoms like sensitivity to sound, noise in the ear, or even dizziness.
Treatment Options The US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) sponsored scientists are still searching for answers to what actually causes these joint disorders and how they best they could be treated.
Nevertheless, professional dental and orthodontists associations recommend several approaches to dealing with these disorders.
1.
Medication General over-the-counter painkillers could assist.
If you feel that these are not sufficient, muscle relaxants may give you added pain relief.
2.
Physiotherapy A number of physiotherapy treatments, such as gentle jaw exercises and ultrasound can also be helpful.
3.
Splints or Bite Guards These have occasionally been suggested, although there is no scientific proof of their medical benefits.
However, some patients find them physically useful.
They will cover your teeth at night to lessen jaw clenching.
4.
Injections Or Surgery If your symptoms are as a result of joint inflammation, a steroid injection may help in relieving the pain and discomfort.
A number of surgical operations can be performed although for an extremely small number of patients.
This should however only be carried out by dentists who are approved by the Dental Board of Australia (DBA) and the Australian Dental Council (ADC).
Majority of the people will not require surgery or injections and with simple treatments will get better.
The Academy of Australian and New Zealand Prosthodontists website regularly gives updates on the latest developments in the treatment of TMJ.
What Else Can You Do? You may rest your jaw joint by eating food that does not require too much chewing and also by avoiding chewing gum.
Additionally, try and avoid opening your mouth very wide like when singing or when yawning.
Gentle regular massaging of the jaw muscles can help.
Sometimes, use of ice packs can relieve the pain.
Stay away from dental treatments which cause permanent modifications in the jaw or your bite.
Such treatments may include bridge and crown work, and other types of orthodontics.