What is TMJ Syndrome?

The TMJ joint controls the movement of your jawbone. TMJ stands for temperomandibular joint.

This is the joint that controls the movement of your jawbone.

Put your fingers on the side of your head, just in front of your ears.

Now open your mouth.

Can feel both your TMJ's?

You have one TMJ on either side of your head that controls the opening and closing of your mouth.

TMJ consists of muscles, bones and nerves that control jawbone movement.

One of the causes of TMJ syndrome is stress.

Do you clench your jaws without knowing it?

Do you grind your teeth while sleeping?

If so, then this could be contributing to TMJ syndrome

Here we talk about:

• the causes of TMJ syndrome
• typical TMJ symptoms
• TMJ cures and treatments

The causes of TMJ syndrome

There are a number of different causes of TMJ syndrome.

These may include gum chewing and nail biting which increase the muscle tension around the TMJ.

A facial trauma such as punch to the jaw which can break the jaw bone or damage the TMJ - a cause of TMJ syndrome!

Stress is considered a common cause of TMJ.

Around the temperomandibular joint (TMJ) are 5 muscles and several ligaments which some medical professionals say can become tense due to stress.

Chronic stress can increase teeth grinding (bruxism) and teeth clenching.

Since bruxism and teeth clenching most often occurs when asleep or as a habit that you may not be aware of, people often first realize they have TMJ syndrome when they visit their dentist or complain of facial pain in the TMJ area.

TMJ symptoms

So what is TMJ and what are the TMJ symptoms?

People who suffer from temperomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome may have some of these symptoms:

• TMJ headaches, such as tension headaches or migraines
• ear ringing
• facial pain
• neck and shoulder pain
• limited jaw movement
• sensitive teeth or teeth that are worn or cracked
• dizziness

TMJ cures and treatment

Treatment for temperomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome starts with knowledge.

Often treatment for TMJ pain can occur through the use dentally-prescribed mouth splints.

In severe cases of TMJ syndrome surgery may be required.

However, if your TMJ pain is due to stress then relaxation techniques combined with biofeedback therapy can be taught to the TMJ sufferer.

Biofeedback therapy combined with various relaxation techniques can be used help you to relax the jaw muscles and reduce teeth grinding, especially if you grind your teeth during the day.

If you suffer from jaw pain, please seek advice from your local medical practitioner.

While stress may result in TMJ symptoms stress also affects health in a number of other ways.

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