More Information About TMJ and TMD

What You Should Know About TMD

What is TMD?
Simply put, TMD represents the range of disorders of the jaw muscles and of the temporomandibular joint — the hinge at the side of the head that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull.

What are the symptoms of TMD?
One of the most common symptoms of TMD is a dull, aching pain around the ears, which can radiate to the neck, shoulders, and back; tenderness of the jaw muscles, headache, a clicking or popping sound in the joint, limited opening of the mouth, and facial pain are also common. Another curious symptom is ringing in the ear(s), sometimes coupled with a feeling that closely resembles being under water or up in the mountains.

How many people suffer from TMD?
It is estimated that as many as 60 million Americans … 30% of the US population … suffer from TMD. TMD affects four times as many women as men, and it is most often a problem for those in their thirties and forties.

What causes TMD?
TMD disorders frequently result when the chewing muscles, the teeth, and the temporomandibular joint do not work together correctly. Some common causes are braces, trauma, whiplash, stress, teeth grinding (also called “bruxism”), dental malocclusions, missing or sore teeth, and muscle abuse.

Is TMD curable?
Although TMD can become a chronic problem often associated with some permanent damage from trauma to the head, neck, back, or temporomandibular joint, even in the worst cases the symptoms can be eliminated through proper professional care.