What is the number 1 cause of jaw pain?

Cameron Hemmert

April 8, 2023

What is the number 1 cause of jaw pain?

There are many possible causes of jaw pain, but the most common cause is temporomandibular disorder (TMD). TMD is a condition that affects the muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. It can be caused by a number of things, including teeth grinding, clenching, or gnashing; misaligned teeth; arthritis; stress; and injury. TMD usually occurs between the ages 20-50 and women are twice as likely than men to experience TMD (Bueno et al., 2018).

If you're experiencing jaw pain, it's important to see a medical professional to find out what's causing it and to rule out infection or conditions involving the teeth.

I have been told I have TMJ, is this different to temporomandibular disorder (TMD)?

TMJ is the abbreviation of "temporomandibular joint", which is simply the name of the two bones that make up the joint (the temporal bone is a bone of the skull and the mandible is the name of the bottom jaw). Jaw pain is commonly (and incorrectly) referred to as TMJ, which is an acronym for the temporomandibular joint by itself.

The correct term is temporomandibular disorder (TMD), which refers to conditions that cause pain and affect the temporomandibular joint, as well as the surrounding muscles, ligaments and nerves.

What are the symptoms of TMD?

There are a variety of symptoms that can be associated with jaw pain, and the severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms include:

– Pain in the jaw, face, or neck

– Clicking or popping sounds when moving the jaw

– Difficulty chewing or pain when chewing

– Pain when opening the mouth wide

– Lockjaw (jaw muscle spasm)

– A feeling of fatigue in the jaw muscles

(Liu & Steinkeler, 2013)

Treatment for conditions affecting the TMJ

Treatment for TMD depends on the underlying cause, but if it is related to the biomechanics of the jaw it can be managed with physiotherapy. If you think you may have TMD, it’s important to seek advice from a medical professional like your dentist or physiotherapist so they can properly diagnose and treat the condition. In the meantime, there are some things you can do at home to help relieve symptoms, such as eating soft foods, avoiding chewing gum, and practicing relaxation techniques (Jinich-Diamant et al., 2020).

3 ways physiotherapy can help with jaw pain (TMD)

Physiotherapy can help with muscle control around the jaw to restore optimum movement patterns and reduce irritation.
Physiotherapy can help to reduce stiffness of joints that are limiting the proper movement of the jaw, which helps reduce pain and aggravation.
Physiotherapy can help identify and treat other pain drivers that may be increasing pain around the jaw joint and muscles.

At Hyper Health our physiotherapists are trained to accurately assess and treat conditions of the jaw and will happily work in conjunction with your GP or dentist to give you the best outcome. If you have any questions then feel free to send us an email to find out more information and how we can assist your recovery.

References:

Bueno, C.H. et al. (2018) “Gender differences in temporomandibular disorders in adult populational studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 45(9), pp. 720–729. Available at:https://doi.org/10.1111/joor.12661.
Jinich-Diamant, A. et al. (2020) “Neurophysiological mechanisms supporting mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: An updated review,” Current Pain and Headache Reports, 24(10). Available at:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-020-00890-8.
Liu, F. and Steinkeler, A. (2013) “Epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of temporomandibular disorders,” Dental Clinics of North America, 57(3), pp. 465–479. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2013.04.006.
Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) (2021) Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) | Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/temporomandibular-disorder-tmd#:~:text=Temporomandibular%20disorders%20(TMD)%20are%20disorders,may%20result%20in%20temporomandibular%20disorder. (Accessed: November 24, 2022).
Temporomandibular dysfunction Australian Journal of General Practice. Available at:https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/april/temporomandibular-dysfunction. (Accessed: November 24, 2022).
Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ & TMD): Overview (no date) WebMD. WebMD. Available at:https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd. (Accessed: November 24, 2022).
TMD (temporomandibular disorders) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd. (Accessed: November 24, 2022).

‍

More Blog

A black and white photo of a man in a suit and tie

Top Stories

Children's Podiatry: A Guide for Parents

Podiatry is a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating disorders of the feet and lower limbs. A podiatrist (also known as a chiropodist) is a healthcare professional who specialises in this field. Podiatry is a relatively new branch of medicine, only emerging as a distinct profession in the early 20th century. However, the field has grown rapidly in recent years, owing to increasing awareness of the importance of foot health. Today, podiatrists play an important role in keeping people mobile and active. They often treat conditions such as bunions, heel pain, ingrown toenails and Achilles tendonitis. In addition, they can provide advice on footwear and foot care for people with diabetes or other medical conditions that put them at risk of foot problems.‍

Raymond Nguyen

Why does dry needling hurt?

Dry needling is a type of therapy that involves inserting thin needles into the skin and muscles. The needles are usually made of stainless steel and are very thin, so they cause minimal pain when inserted. However, some people report feeling a brief, sharp pain when the needle enters the skin. There are several theories as to why dry needling causes this pain. One theory is that the needles stimulate nerve endings in the skin and muscles, which triggers a pain response. Another theory is that dry needling causes a release of chemicals called cytokines, which can increase pain sensitivity. It’s important to note that while dry needling may cause some discomfort, it is generally not considered painful. Many people find relief from their chronic pain after undergoing dry needling therapy.

Kim Le

Syndesmosis Injury: How to prevent and recover

A syndesmosis injury is a serious condition that can occur when the bones in the ankle joint are not properly aligned. This can happen when the foot is planted awkwardly, or the ankle is twisted. If not treated properly, a syndesmosis injury can lead to long-term problems. There are two main types of syndesmosis injuries: anterolateral and posterior. Anterolateral injuries are more common when the foot is planted awkwardly on an uneven surface. Posterior injuries are less common and occur when the ankle is twisted. If you think you have a syndesmosis injury, it is important to see a doctor right away. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the injury but may include rest, ice, elevation, and immobilization. Surgery may also be necessary in some cases.