Quick Action Guide
📞 SEE DENTIST IF:
- • Pain in head, neck, jaw, or face
- • Problems chewing or biting
- • Popping or clicking sounds in jaw
- • Jaw locks open or shut
- • Symptoms don't improve with home care
✅ HOME CARE:
- • Offer soft foods
- • Apply ice or heat to jaw
- • Avoid chewing gum or hard foods
- • Rest the jaw when possible
What Is the TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull. You can feel your two TM joints and their movement by placing your fingers directly in front of your ears and opening your mouth. What you're feeling are the rounded ends of the lower jaw as they glide along the joint socket of the temporal bone, which is the part of the skull that contains the inner ear and the temple.
Understanding the Joint
The TMJ is one of the most complex joints in the body. It allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side, enabling talking, chewing, and yawning. A small disc of cartilage lies between the temporal bone and the jawbone, which helps the joint move smoothly.
What Are TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders (also called temporomandibular disorders, or TMD) can cause:
- • Pain in the head, neck, jaw, or face
- • Problems chewing or biting
- • Popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth
- • Occasionally, a jaw that can lock open or lock shut
Who Gets TMJ Disorders?
TMJ disorders can affect kids of any age, but are much more common in teens, especially girls. This may be due to hormonal changes, increased stress during teenage years, or other factors that make teens more susceptible to jaw problems.
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
Often, it's not clear what causes TMJ disorders, but many things can contribute to them.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding or Clenching)
Bruxism (jaw clenching or teeth grinding) can make a TMJ disorder more likely. It overworks the TMJ, which can lead to a disc in the joint wearing down or moving out of place. Grinding and clenching also can change the way that top and bottom teeth line up and can affect muscles used for chewing. Sometimes people don't even realize that they're clenching or grinding and might even do it during sleep.
Stress
Stress can influence TMJ symptoms by making kids more likely to grind their teeth, clench their jaw, or tighten their jaw muscles. This increased tension in the jaw can lead to pain and other symptoms.
Other Contributing Factors
- • Dental problems (like a bad bite)
- • Joint problems (like arthritis)
- • Muscle problems
- • History of trauma to the jaw or face
- • Improper alignment of the jaw or teeth
When Should We See a Dentist?
If your child has symptoms of a TMJ disorder, let your dentist know. The earlier a TMJ disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better. Early treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse and can help relieve discomfort more quickly.
Diagnosis Process
The dentist will ask questions about symptoms, do an exam, and might order imaging tests (like X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI) to confirm a TMJ disorder and rule out other conditions.
Emergency Situations
If your child's jaw is locked open or locked shut, call the dentist to ask if you should see an oral surgeon or go to the emergency room. A locked jaw needs immediate medical attention.
How Are TMJ Disorders Treated?
For some kids with TMJ disorders, treatment can be as simple as resting the jaw for a few days. Offer your child soft foods and help them avoid any habits that can aggravate the TM joint or the muscles of the face (such as chewing gum, clenching or grinding the teeth, or opening the mouth extra-wide while yawning). Apply ice packs or heat to the side of the face to help your child feel more comfortable.
Locked Jaw Treatment
A jaw that's locked will need to be manipulated until it can open or close. Sometimes, a doctor will do this while the child is under sedation to ensure safety and minimize pain.
For Clenching and Grinding
For pain due to clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth, the dentist may fit your child with a splint or biteplate to wear at night to help reduce clenching and grinding. The dentist also can prescribe medicine to help relieve the pain or relax the muscles.
Correcting Bite Problems
If a problem with your child's bite is adding to the TMJ disorder, the dentist may recommend braces or other dental work to correct it. This can help prevent future problems and alleviate symptoms.
Surgery
Occasionally, symptoms do not respond to other treatments. Then, a child might need surgery to repair damaged tissue in the joint. But most kids won't need surgery, and it's considered a last resort.
Can TMJ Disorders Be Prevented?
Lots of kids develop TMJ disorders or joint pain from grinding their teeth or clenching their jaw repeatedly. Often, they don't know they're doing it. Teach kids to notice them when they happen (for example, during a test at school, when angry or upset, etc.) so they can learn to stop them.
Stress Management
These behaviors can be due to stress, so help your child get plenty of exercise and enough sleep. Avoid over-scheduling, and encourage relaxing activities. Breathing exercises also can help kids relax.
Prevention Tips
- • Encourage relaxation techniques
- • Ensure regular dental checkups
- • Treat bruxism early if it develops
- • Avoid chewing gum or hard foods when possible
- • Maintain good posture
Ask Your Dentist
Ask your dentist for more tips on avoiding TMJ disorders. They can provide personalized advice based on your child's specific situation and risk factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does TMJ stand for?
A: TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. TMJ disorders are also called temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and refer to problems with this joint and the muscles that control jaw movement.
Q: Is TMJ disorder serious?
A: Most TMJ disorders are not serious and can be managed with home care and simple treatments. However, they can cause significant discomfort and interfere with daily activities like eating and talking if not addressed. Early treatment usually provides the best results.
Q: Can TMJ disorders go away on their own?
A: Some mild TMJ symptoms may improve on their own with rest and avoiding aggravating activities. However, if symptoms persist, worsen, or include a locked jaw, it's important to see a dentist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Q: Is teeth grinding always the cause?
A: No, while bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching) is a common cause, TMJ disorders can also result from arthritis, jaw injury, muscle problems, or problems with how the teeth align. Often, multiple factors contribute to the condition.
Q: How long does treatment take?
A: Treatment duration varies depending on the severity and cause of the TMJ disorder. Simple cases may resolve in a few days to weeks with home care. More complex cases may require several months of treatment, and some children may need ongoing management.
Q: Can braces help with TMJ disorders?
A: Braces can help if the TMJ disorder is caused or worsened by bite problems or teeth misalignment. By correcting the alignment of the teeth and jaw, braces can relieve strain on the TMJ and reduce symptoms.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information about TMJ disorders and is not intended to replace professional medical or dental advice. Always consult your dentist or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent more serious problems and provide better outcomes for your child. If your child's jaw is locked or if they are experiencing severe pain, seek immediate medical attention.