TMJD – What is it and do I have it?
Posted on: January 20, 2023
TMJD – What is it and do I have it?
Headaches, teeth grinding, chronic pain in the head, neck, shoulders or back – Do any of these sound familiar? You’re probably suffering from TMJD…
From causes, symptoms and effective treatments, here’s everything you need to know about TMJD, also known as TMD.
What is TMJD?
TMJD, or TMD, stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, a disorder that affects the jaw, muscles, temporomandibular joints (TMJ). 
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge as it connects your lower jaw to the skull. Any problems that prevent this complex system of muscles, ligaments, disc bones and joints from working together as intended, is considered as a TMJ disorder.
How do I know if I have TMJD? What are some common symptoms?
You will be surprised at the number of symptoms that people will experience without realising it is a TMJ related issue. Patients can experience multiple or even just a single symptom. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- Pain or tenderness in your face and jaw joints, particularly when you wake up
- Chronic pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back
- Pain around the ear when chewing or speaking
- Difficulties in opening or closing your mouth
- Locked jaw (the inability to open your mouth as much as normal)
- Persistant toothaches
- Headaches and migraines
- Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when moving your jaw
- Facial swelling, particularly in the mornings
- Persistant tooth grinding, particularly at night
What causes TMJD?
TMJD can be caused by several factors. Almost 1 in 10 people in the UK and up to 12% of the entire global population suffer from TMJD. It is an incredibly prevalent condition that anybody can be diagnosed with. Some of the most common factors include:
- Stress and anxiety
- Bruxism (persistent teeth grinding or clenching, particularly at night)
- History of facial trauma
- Arthritis (swelling or inflammation of a joint)
- Excessive strain to the jaw joints and muscle group that controls chewing, swallowing and speech
- Improper/mis-aligned bite
TMJD is most prevalent amongst young women
Studies have shown that TMJD is most common amongst females aged 20 to 40 years old. This is said to be due to the oestrogen receptors present in a female’s jaw tissues and brain, which can cause additional strain on the brain and resulting it to lack the proper ability to navigate and control pain.
Another reason is the difference in the male and female jaw structures. Female jaw muscles are more prone to increased levels of inflammation and exhaustion. Thus, females tend to receive less blood and oxygen to their face than the average male. The lack of oxygen and blood causes muscles to produce increased levels of lactic acid. Additional amounts of lactic acid results in cramping, spasms and pain while the lack of blood means less circulation to the brain.
Can TMJD be cured? How should I treat it?
While some may say that TMJD can be cured by doing home remedies such as simple jaw exercise and eating soft foods, it is highly encouraged that you seek medical attention. TMJ disorders will not fix themselves and will need to be medically treated. Seeking medical advice will help you determine the possible root cause and allow you to undergo an effective treatment plan to manage both the short-term symptoms and the fix the underlying issue for the long-term.
Do not delay/avoid treatments! Why is this so important?
Needless to say, living with TMJD can significantly decrease the quality of our lives as it negatively impacts numerous daily activities from our sleep, mood to eating patterns.
However, many people also do not recognise the underlying long-term and potentially permanent medical and dental problems untreated TMJD can cause, including joint damage and malnutrition, worn down enamel, chipped teeth and in severe cases, tinnitus (hearing sounds that come from inside your body) or loss of hearing completely.
This is why it is extremely crucial to seek professional help as soon as possible in order to not only improve your current quality of life, but also to avoid long-term complications from happening.
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, come and have a chat with our friendly and experienced team.
TMJD Treatments at DrBK Clinic
Here at the DrBK Clinic we offer multiple effective non-surgical treatment options for Bruxism (teeth grinding) and other TMJD issues including; jaw aches, headaches, chronic pain in the neck, shoulder, upper and lower back.
All patients will undergo an initial consultation with Dr Khanna, who has been perfecting his techniques and treatments for TMJD for many years. During the consultation, Dr Khanna will carefully examine your teeth along with several other aspects including; how you bite and muscles around the jaw, neck and shoulders before creating the best treatment plans to suit your needs. Whilst we offer a range of non-surgical treatment options, the most common effective treatment for TMJ at the DrBK Clinic is a combination treatment featuring a bespoke splint, designed for the individual to realign the positioning of the jaw and offer a long-term solution, alongside a series of muscle-relaxing injections in the short-term to help manage the symptoms.
Case Studies
Why not have a read about previous patients who have undergone life-changing treatment for TMJ related issues at the DrBK Clinic.
Kay’s Story
“Chronic Jaw Pain made me suicidal”
After suffering with pain in her jaw for many years and eventually visiting 6 doctors who could not help her, Kay was finally referred to DrBK. Upon completion of the treatment, Kay said “I felt like my life had started again” and “today is the happiest day I’ve had in months”. Read all about her emotional journey here.
Becky’s Story
“I couldn’t bite or chew for 2 years”
Becky’s top and bottom did not align which caused her to suffer great amounts of pain and functionality problems, including the inability to bite down fully and chew properly.
Similar to Kay, Becky had visited multiple medical professionals prior to coming to DrBK. Unfortunately, she was constantly told that her situation was unlikely to improve.
Fast forward to her treatment with Dr Khanna, after her final appointment, Becky said: “My pain is completely gone. I don’t get headaches anymore. I don’t get shooting pains in my eyes. It’s completely changed my everyday living and my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you so much Dr Bob, you’re the best!”
Learn more about Becky’’s journey to recovery here.
You can also hear about many other patients experience with treatment for TMJ related issues here.
