TMJ

What is TMJ Disorder?

 TMJ is the temporomandibular joint that connects the lower jaw to the base of the skull. TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) is a condition that affects your jaw joints causing mild to severe jaw and facial discomfort.

TMD is linked to sleep disordered breathing (SDB). It’s often painful and can diminish the function of your jaw joint when left untreated. See the Breathe Airway team at the first sign of a problem. Breathe Airway is affiliated with the Breathe Institute, the leading expert in this field.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

Common symptoms associated with TMD include:

•         Jaw pain or tenderness
•         Jaw swelling or stiffness
•         Decreased jaw range of motion 
•         Aching ear pain
•         Facial discomfort
•         Pain with chewing
•         Locking or clicking of your jaw joint
•         Tooth Wear
•         Difficulty opening or closing your mouth

What are conditions associated with TMD?

Anyone can develop TMD, but common risk factors include:

•         Disc erosion
•         Cartilage damage
•         Arthritis
•         Jaw injuries
•         Clenching 
•         Grinding
•         Connective tissue diseases
•         Age-related wear-and-tear
•         Sleep apnea
•         Sleep disordered breathing

The Breathe Airway team finds the source of jaw discomfort to develop the most appropriate treatment plan. 

How does my provider diagnose TMD?

To find out if you have TMD, your Breathe Airway specialist asks about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle habits. They listen to your jaw when you open and close your mouth and observe its range of motion. TMD is highly linked to sleep disordered breathing and a sleep study may be recommended to evaluate the quality of sleep.

How is TMD linked to sleep disordered breathing?

When you enter deeper levels of sleep the muscles begin to relax and can impair normal airflow. This event signals our body to have a “Fight or Flight” response. Our body responds by tensing the muscles. The jaw has very powerful elevating muscles. When the jaw is clenched, it can stimulate jaw posture to open the airway. If this process is repeated every night multiple times, it can lead to severe jaw pain.

How is TMJ treated?

Common TMD treatments for symptoms include:

Home remedies

Home remedies include stretching, massage, ice or heat packs, and not overusing your jaw. Avoid chewing gum and eating sticky or chewy foods.

Oral appliances

Wearing oral appliances when you sleep can reduce clenching, grinding, and TMJ discomfort. 

Injections

Botox®, steroid, or other injections help reduce inflammation and TMJ pain.

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy is like physical therapy, but for your face, jaw, and surrounding tissues. Myotherapists at Breathe Airway teach you strength and stretching exercises that can improve jaw alignment and reduce ongoing discomfort. 

Tongue-Tie Release (Frenectomy)

Sometimes the tongue is unable to rest in the proper position in the mouth due to restrictive tissue connecting the tongue to underlying structures. By releasing this connection, we allow the tongue to move more freely, often alleviating some of the symptoms of TMD.

To get relief from TMJ pain, call the Breathe Airway office, or schedule an appointment online today.