Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects
TMJ disorder which stands for temporomandibular joint are the result of issues with the jaw, the joint and/or the surrounding muscles on face that controls moving the jaw and chewing actions. The technical name is temporomandibular disorders or TMD.
Anatomy of The Jaw
Jaw Pain | Cause & Effects
The temporomandibular joint is the joint or the hinge that attaches the lower jaw to the skull on the side of the face in front of the ears. These joints are flexible, allowing the site jaw to move up and down and side to side and enabling the individual to talk, chew, and yawn. The cause of TMD pain is not really clear, but it is believed that symptoms are the results of problems with the muscles of the jaw or with the parts of the joint itself or both.
Some possible reasons for these disorders might be:
- Injury to the joint, and muscles from car accidents to sports or even street fights.
- Clenching or grinding the teeth (Dental Care | 7 Basic Things You Should Do), which puts a lot of pressure on the joint.
- Dislocation of the disc which is a soft cushions between the ball and socket.
- Presence of other diseases such as: osteoarthritis (Osteoarthritis Wiki Page) or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
- Stress, which can cause a person to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth (Healthy Gums and Teeth) which could result in clenching and grinding as discussed earlier.