What Are the Causes of TMJ Disorder?
There are various causes for TMD. The most common cause is trauma or injury to the jaw joint. This can happen after opening too wide when eating, sleeping on one side, a long dental procedure, or after general anesthesia. Most of the time the jaw joint and muscles heal by themselves with the help of rest, icing the joint, or providing heat prior to moving the joint. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, like aspirin or ibuprofen, can also help relieve discomfort. When pain lasts longer than one week, professional help should be sought from a dentist or physical therapist. Jaw exercises may be recommended.
Another cause for TMD could be arthritis. The jaw joint is no different than any other joint in your body, and it should be treated by a physician or a rheumatologist. Abnormal habits that overly stress the muscles and jaw joint can cause TMD. Harmful dental habits such as grinding (bruxism), clenching, ice chewing, gum chewing, and fingernail biting create forces that are much greater than chewing forces. A dentist can evaluate and make recommendations to modify these behaviors or make appliances such as bite guards to minimize their effect.
Additionally, an abnormal bite called malocclusion can be the sole cause or a contributing factor with an abnormal habit of TMD. There are numerous factors that cause an uneven bite, such as alterations to normal muscle and jaw and teeth alignment. These may include mouth breathing, thumb sucking, prolonged use of the bottle, teething rings or sipping cups, loss of and failure to replace teeth, wisdom teeth, tooth wear, tooth erosion, gum disease, or ill-fitting dentures.
