The temporomandibular joints (often called TMJ) are two complex joints on either side of your head. They connect your lower jaw, the mandible, to the bottom of the skull, the temporal bone, and let you move your jaw up and down and from side to side. The joint is like a sliding hinge, with a disc or cushion in the middle that lets it move, and large pairs of muscles in your cheeks and temples control the movement. Any of these parts can get out of place or not work properly and cause pain.Find out:baybreezedentistry.com

TMD can be triggered by stress, teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), an injury to the jaw, head, neck, or face, arthritis, or by a change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together. TMD can also be a symptom of other medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, lupus, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Exploring TMD Therapies: From Home Remedies to Professional Treatments

Many people with TMD have mild symptoms that go away on their own or with treatment. More serious symptoms are pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint, difficulty opening and closing your mouth, ringing in the ears, headache, stiffness or swelling of the face or neck, or changes in how your upper and lower teeth fit together.

Treatment options for TMD include rest, avoiding chewing gum or hard foods, using an over-the-counter pain reliever, changing your sleep position, and wearing a mouthguard to prevent teeth grinding (bruxism). Your dentist may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or muscle relaxants to relieve jaw tension. Other complementary treatments that have been studied include acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).