Oral health not only affects the mouth, but can have consequences for the rest of the body.
Our body does not function individually in parts, on the contrary, it works as a whole and it is possible that having a condition can lead to triggers for general health.
In this article we are going to focus on the temporomandibular joint, also called TMJ.
Pathologies in this joint produce problems that can affect our daily life, so it is important to know how to detect them in time to remedy them.
What is the temporomandibular joint?
A joint is the union of two bones so that one of them has freedom of movement.
Humans have two TMJs, one on each side of the face, and it is responsible for connecting the jaw to the skull.
Thanks to this joint, we can move and open our mouth normally.
Normally, a person is able to open the oral cavity a distance between 40 and 50 centimeters.
To check that the temporomandibular joint is not suffering from any complications, we can do the three-finger test.
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It consists of introducing three fingers vertically between the upper central incisors (pallets) and the lower ones.
TMJ Disorders
We speak of TMJ and temporomandibular disorders when this joint does not function properly and causes discomfort.
According to a study carried out by the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Havana, TMJ dysfunctions affect 80% of the world’s population in people with an average age of 34 years old.
The report states that women present this pathology more frequently than men, especially those between 25 and 35 years of age.
Moreover, after toothache, TMJ disorders are the second most common cause of facial affliction.
Location of the TMJ
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TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT
What factors lead to TMJ problems?
The causes that favor the appearance of pathologies related to the TMJ are not easy to determine and for the person, the discomfort appears for no apparent reason.
The pain caused by the temporomandibular joint disorder is usually temporary in many cases.
This happens if the person tends to tense or clench the jaw excessively, in many cases a habit caused by stress.
However, not all patients with bruxism develop this type of disorder.
Likewise, a trauma caused by a very strong blow can affect the correct movement of the joint.
Another reason that can cause transient TMJ pain is having undergone surgery in which the mouth has been kept open for a long time.
A categorization for joint disorders
According to a report published by the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, TMJ problems can be divided into three main categories:
Myofascial pain: involves discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function.
Internal joint derangement: this is related to a displaced disc, dislocation of the jaw or injury to the condyle.
This last element is the one that articulates bilaterally with the base of the skull.
For its part, the purpose of the disc is to cushion the movements of the rest of the articular parts.
The TMJ has several parts
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PARTS OF THE TMJ
Arthritis: refers to a group of degenerative or inflammatory joint disorders that can affect the TMJ.
Precisely, people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have more problems with the TMJ compared to healthy patients.
This is demonstrated by a clinical trial published in the Revista Española de Cirugía Oral y Maxilofacial.
In the group of people with RA, a TMJ condition was found in 75% of patients, while in the group of healthy patients only in 13.5%.
Symptoms to detect TMJ disorders
Although the main indication that the temporomandibular joint has a problem is pain in the jaw muscles and bones, there are other signs that can alert us.
Pain in the neck, ears and teeth.
Stiffness in the muscles of the face.
Difficulty and pain when opening or moving the mouth (dental trismus).
Clicking joints.
80% of the world’s population suffers from some TMJ disorder and it affects mostly women.
What are the consequences?
As we have explained, a person with temporomandibular joint disorders will feel persistent discomfort in the jaw area.
However, in their day-to-day life they may encounter a series of inconveniences that will prevent them from leading a normal life in the most severe cases.
Swallowing
Not being able to open the mouth naturally, the person will encounter limitations when eating.
In addition, the chewing process is substantially hindered because the jaw does not have the usual freedom to move.
Jaw pain
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PAIN IN THE ATM
Oral hygiene
As with eating, the patient will have difficulty brushing his teeth and, therefore, in carrying out a proper dental cleaning routine.
The patient may not even be able to see the back teeth, so flossing will not be effective either.
Speech function
People with TMJ disorders experience certain alterations when performing jaw movements for speech.
In order to analyze which symptoms related to this pathology are the ones that most impede speech function, the University of São Paulo (Brazil) conducted a study with patients.
If you have a TMJ disorder, watch your jaw movements and avoid eating hard foods.
The report concludes by stating that pain, joint noise and difficulty in pronouncing phonemes correctly were the most common problems for individuals.
The main disturbance caused by TMJ disorder during speech performance is lateral deviations of the jaw.
Treatments for TMJ dysfunction
Although the cause of temporomandibular joint disorder is not always clear, it is important to visit a dental clinic to have each case examined by a dental professional.
In this way, he or she will be able to rule out other pathologies that have similar symptoms and apply an appropriate treatment.
Bones of the face
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MAXILLARY BONE
If it is determined that the origin is due to bruxism, the dentist may recommend the use of an unloading splint to help relax the jaw.
Likewise, the intake of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications will help relieve pain and tension in the mouth and neck.
Tips to mitigate its effects
Modifying habits can be a simple and effective method to prevent pain and discomfort derived from TMJ disorder from affecting your daily routine.
Here you can find some tips that will help you soothe the ailment.
Foods
There are certain foods you should avoid if you suffer from TMJ disorder.
Those that require a great effort to chew will intensify the pain in the area.
Above all, we are referring to chewing gum, soft candies such as toffee, excessively hard nuts such as kikos or seeds.
It is also advisable to be careful with the movements, therefore, do not eat sandwiches or hamburgers that force the person to open and force the mouth too much.
Apply heat
Although the TMJ disorder has its origin in the jaw, it directly affects the muscles in the area.
It is therefore advisable to apply heat to the painful area to contribute to muscle relaxation.
In situations of acute crisis, it is advisable to consult a physiotherapist specialized in TMJ.
Reduce stress levels
Stress directly affects the health of our teeth, not only because of the appearance of bruxism but also because of TMJ disorders.
For this reason, it is advisable for patients with this pathology to perform relaxation exercises to manage stress more effectively.
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Bibliographic references
At Ferrus & Bratos we are guided by editorial guidelines that ensure the veracity of all the information we publish. If you would like to know more about how we ensure that our content is up-to-date and properly supported, we encourage you to read our editorial commitment.
Grau León, K. Fernández Lima, G. González, M. Osorio Núñez, (2005) Some considerations on temporomandibular disorders. Rev Cubana Estomatol 2005; 42(3). (http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/est/v42n3/est05305.pdf)I
national Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, (2018). Temporomandibular joint and muscle (TMJ) disorders (https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2018-02/los-trastornos-de-las-articulaciones_0.pdf).
Guadalupe Ibáñez-Mancera, I. Vinitzky-Brener, S. Muñoz-López, F. Irazoque-Palazuelos, C. Arvizu-Estefania, T. Amper-Polaka, (2017). Temporomandibular joint dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Volume 39, Issue 2, April-June 2017, Pages 85-90 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1130055816300338).
Melchior MO, Mazzetto MO, Magri LV, Relation of painful TMD with the speech function: what are the possible characteristics of mandibular movements and the main symptoms reported? Codas. 2019 Apr 1;31(2):e20180161 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30942291)
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Bibliographic references
- Archives of Bronchopneumology (2005). National Consensus on Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (SAHS). Vol. 41. No. S4. pages 7-9 (https://www.archbronconeumol.org/es-consenso-nacional-sobre-el-sindrome-articulo-13084320)
- Durán-Cantolla, J., Alkhraisat, M.H., Martínez-Null, C., Aguirre, J.J., Guinea, E.R., Anitua E. (2015). Frequency of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome in Dental Patients with Tooth Wear. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.11 (4): 445-50. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25665693)
- Wetselaar, P., Manfredini, D., Ahlberg, J., Johansson, A., Aarab, G., Papagianni, C.E., Reyes Sevilla, M., Koutris M., Lobbezoo, F. (2019). Associations between tooth wear and dental sleep disorders: A narrative overview. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 46 (8): 765-775 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31038764).
- American Dental Association (ADA). Sleep apnea and snoring. (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/es-MX/az-topics/s/sleep-apnea-and-snoring)
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. (2015) Dentists treat sleep apnea, too. (https://www.aadsm.org/for_patients.php)
At DrAW Dental Clinic we are guided by editorial guidelines that ensure the accuracy of all the information we publish. If you would like to know more about how we ensure that our content is up-to-date and properly supported, we encourage you to read our editorial commitment.
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