The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) play a vital role in enabling us to speak, chew, and yawn comfortably. However, TMJ is a collective term encompassing various symptoms arising from disruptions in the jaw joint and its associated muscles. The condition often leads to discomfort and interference with everyday activities. Our chiropractors provide personalized treatments and exercises to improve TMJ joint motion, reducing facial pain, jaw locking, headaches, and neck pain.
Common causes of TMJ dysfunction
TMJ dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Clenching and grinding of teeth during sleep
- Postural stress
- Prolonged mouth opening
- Habits such as chewing gum
- Joint dysfunction
- Muscle tone
- Arthritis
- Trauma to the face and head
- Whiplash
Common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction
Some of the common symptoms of TMJ dysfunction are:
- Tenderness or a dull ache at the jaw area
- Pain when chewing/biting, speaking or opening the mouth
- Clicking sounds upon opening and closing of the mouth
- Jaw deviates to the involved side
- Muscle spasms at the masseter muscle whilst eating
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Dizziness
- Face swelling
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Ear or tooth aches