Temporomandibular joint disorders

What does this diagnosis mean?

Temporomandibular joint disorders mean that the joints that help move the jaw are damaged.

The patient may complain of pain, discomfort when chewing. It is a common diagnosis - it usually affects people between the ages of 20 and 40.

The following symptoms are characteristic of temporomandibular joint disorders:

• Jaw or facial pain;

• Headache;

• Jaw stiffness or locking;

• The patient has difficulty opening or closing his mouth;

• Ear pain;

• Ringing sound in the ear;

• Toothache;

• Neck or shoulder pain.

Causes include:

• Trauma to the jaw;

• Teeth grinding;

• Arthritis of the jaw;

• Stress, which causes jaw tension.

Temporomandibular joint conditions can be aggravated by habits such as:

• Biting your nails, chewing on pens or ice;

• Poor posture;

• Chewing large pieces of food while eating;

• Sleeping on your stomach.

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