TMJ Dysfunction

There are many factors that can cause toothache but when it has started to cause earache and pain in the jaw joint as well this can be an indicator that the patient is experiencing problems with their mandible (the lower jaw bone) and the joint surrounding it.

This is known as temporomandibular (TMJ) disorder and affects a wider area than regular toothache because the jaw is connected to the skull in front of the ear. It affects around 1 in 10 people, only half of which will seek out medical or dental support and can be caused by various different factors such as clenching the teeth, problems with the muscle surrounding the joint or damage to the cartilage. In the long term this can irritate and wear the cartilage and, if left untreated for too long, can even result in arthritis.

Signs that a patient may be suffering from TMJ issues include-

●An earache without an infection around the ear
●Hearing a clicking or popping sound
●Sensitive teeth without any other dental problems
●Swelling on the side of the face
●A feeling of stiffness when they yawn or eat
●Pain in the jaw when biting, chewing or yawning
●Recent changes to their bite
●Having frequent tension headaches or headaches when they wake up
●Difficulty opening or closing their mouth

How is TMJ disorder diagnosed?

The chances are that your patient has already undertaken several tests including blood tests, MRI scans and blood tests in order to diagnose the cause of their pain. Once a TMJ disorder has been detected, there are some measures that can be put into place such as pain medication, muscle relaxants and mild tricyclic antidepressants. The patient may be advised to eat softer food and fitted for a mouth guard. We can also prescribe physiotherapy and gentle exercises to help ease discomfort and ensure the jaw is moving in the correct fashion.

If you think your patient may have a TMJ disorder and would like assistance in diagnosing or creating plan to manage this, get in touch with us today. We are always happy to provide help and advice.