Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome Or Disorder
TMJ (TMD)

TMJ syndrome, (now known as TMD) has become a household term over the last 10 years, and it seemed for a while that almost everyone thought they had it. If your jaw clicks, you can't open your mouth very wide and it hurts to eat corn on the cob, you may be a victim of TMJ syndrome.

TMJ treatments, which range from the sublime to the ridiculous, abound, and finding the right dentist or oral surgeon to treat true TMJ is vital. The sudden awareness of this jaw problem over the last few years is thought by some professionals to be another sign that we live in an age when stress related disorders are on the increase.

TMJ syndrome refers to pain and a variety of other symptoms found in the facial area which are thought to result from a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint of the jaw, and the muscles that operate the joint. Approximately 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ. True TMJ syndrome can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, and can be treated by the right specialist.

The most common cause of TMJ syndrome is a spasm of the muscles that control chewing. Factors that can bring about these spasms are teeth grinding or a misaligned bite, which continually places stress on these muscle groups; injuries to the jaw, head or neck; impacted wisdom teeth; emotional stress; nail. biting; or chewing the inside of the cheek. In some cases, osteoarthritis and damage to the disc or pad that cushions the joint can also cause TMJ symptoms.

Physical symptoms are usually more severe in the mornings and can include: frequent headaches, tender jaw muscles, facial pain, pain around the ear, ringing in the ears, toothaches, eye pain, neck pain, clicking or popping jaw joint, difficulty opening the mouth, jaws that get locked or feel as if they have become unhinged, pain upon yawning or chewing, and a fluttering sound in the ears.

Psychological: TMJ is often seen as a stress related disorder. Stress management, in combination with supportive therapy, can help to control nervous habits which compound TMJ. Clenching or grinding the teeth when under stress can cause significant injury to the jaw joint. Awareness of these habits is crucial to treating and preventing future TMJ problems.

Supplements and herbs

Eat nutritious foods that do not stress the jaw joint such as steamed vegetables, soft fruits, fruit and vegetable juices, whole grain cereals and breads, fish, skinless turkey and chicken, yogurt, low fat cottage cheese, and soups.
Avoid foods that stress the body such as candy, colas, potato chips, pies and rich pastries, fried and fatty foods and red meats.
Calcium/magnesium: Use citrate or gluconate variety as a muscle relaxant.
Vitamin B complex with extra pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): Helps to control nervousness and stress.
L-tyrosine: An amino acid that helps to promote sleep and fight depression and anxiety.
Vitamin C: Vital to maintaining the health of connective tissue and enabling the body to cope with stress.

Hops: Helps to promote sleep and minimize tooth grinding.
Valerian root: Considered a natural tranquilizer.
Skullcap: Relieves emotional tension and nervousness.
Passion flower: Relaxes the body and alleviates tension.
Gentian: Works to relieve joint inflammations.
Devils' claw: A powerful botanical anti-inflammatory.
Thyme: An antispasmodic which can help to control muscle cramping.

What else you can do

• If you are clenching your teeth due to emotional stress, make time for relaxation. Wear a splint if you need to break the habit of grinding or clenching the teeth and keep a record of the times when you engage in the behavior.
• Cut food into small, easy to chew pieces and eat slowly.
• When yawning, be careful not to open the mouth too wide.
• Apply soft ice packs to the jaw area that hurts. Moist heat is also recommended, although cold seems to be more beneficial.
• Don't bite into an apple, corn on the cob or eat chewy candies like caramels, which can throw your jaw joint into a lock. Avoid hard to chew foods such as bagels, and don't chew gum.
• Don't sleep on your stomach, which puts pressure on one side of your face and can push your jaw joint out of alignment. Using a cervical pillow can encourage sleeping on your back and promote the relaxation of jaw muscles.
• Don't lie on your back and prop your head up at a sharp angle to watch TV.
• Don't try to hold the phone between your head and chin.
• Don't wear a heavy shoulder bag that can throw your body alignment off.
• Try biofeedback and controlled breathing exercises to promote relaxation and reduce tension.
• Acupuncture can provide pain relief.