06 - LEARN MORE ABOUT
This information is supplied to help explain
complicated topics and help you to understand more
about your health. It is not designed to replace the
advice of the dentist. If you are unsure about
anything here ask your dentist or hygienist.
JAW JOINT PROBLEMS
(TMJ DISORDER)
Gentle dentistry for you …
What if these things don’t help?
These simple measures are usually effective for
most problems with the jaw joints. As you get
to know your jaw joints better you can prevent
episodes of clicking/pain by following this
advice.
If this fails there are more complicated
methods of correcting this disorder.
1) splints are bite guards or gum shields
which you can wear usually at night
but often during the day as well. They
keep your teeth lined up, your jaw
straight, and help to prevent the
problems of clenching and grinding.
2) Referral to hospital, to see a specialist
is sometimes required.
We are keen to hear feedback on this leaflet and
any aspect of our practice… please feel free to
send your feedback in by post to the address
below
or
send
us
an
email
to
feedback@northwaydental.co.uk. Thank you.







Northway Dental Practice
Copyright Simon N Khoury
Northway Dental Practice 2007 No unauthorised reproduction or
broadcast permitted.
North Way, Midsomer Norton
BATH, BA3 2DY
Phone (01761) 413663
Fax (01761) 418 163
Revised 18-12-12 SK
at Northway Dental Practice
JAW JOINT
PROBLEMS (TMJ
DISORDER)
What is TMJ disorder?
The TMJ is your jaw joint. It is also called the
temporo-mandibular-joint. Jaw joint problems
include

Painful Clicking jaw/jaw ache

Aching or soreness of the face

Headaches, sometimes stiff neck

Aching teeth
The jaw joint is very delicate and has many
muscles and ligaments. It is also in constant
use as we eat and speak. This puts a lot of
strain on the jaw joint and muscles of the jaw.
What causes TMJ disorder?

Excessive chewing
EXERCISES TO PREVENT CLICKING OF
THE JAW JOINT

Teeth which do not meet evenly

Injury to jaw/neck
The exercise should be carried out sitting in
anerect posture in front of the mirror. The
exercise should be performed before meals and
at bedtime, i.e. four times a day. Once you are
used to the exercise you can stop using the
mirror and carry out the exercise as often as
possible.
TMJ disorder is caused by imbalances in the
muscles, ligaments, teeth and jaw bone. These
are a complex inter-related system. It can be a
bit like having a sprained ankle or a stiff
back/neck.
Can TMJ disorder be detected?
Yes. TMJ disorder can usually be diagnosed
from the symptoms and by examination of the
jaws, muscles and the way the teeth bite.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
TMJ disorder is treated in a sequence, this
starts with simple measures these are:

Avoid chewing hard food, eat a soft
diet for 2 weeks. REST YOUR JAW.

Avoid wide-opening, when yawning
cradle the jaw in your hands. Do not
try to stretch it this will make it worse.
There are a number of causes

Genetics, i.e. it can run in families

Clenching the teeth

Grinding the teeth

Stress


Take ibuprofen or use Ibulieve or
Voltarol gel on the muscles of the face
and side of the head. This reduces
pain and inflammation.
Jaw exercises which aim to straighten
and relax the jaw joints are very
effective.
1) With your mouth closed and the teeth lightly
touching, place your tongue on the roof of your
mouth as far back as possible.
2) A sensation of tension will be noted in the
muscles at the base of the tongue and below the
chin, and in front of your ears, i.e. over the jaw
joints.
3) Open your jaw keeping your tongue touching
the roof of your mouth as far back as is
comfortable. Open the jaw to a comfortable
distance without moving the tongue.
4) You will notice in the mirror that your jaw
moves like a hinge going neither to the right nor
to the left. Also it does not move forward. If the
jaw does not move like a hinge you are not doing
the exercise properly. You will probably find that
you are moving the tongue away from the roof of
the mouth. Keep practising, it does get easier
5) Gradually increase the extent to which the
mouth opens until it can be moved to a normal
extent without producing a click.
6) Do not be tempted to make the jaw click by
doing any ‘funny movements’.
During this initial training time be careful with your
diet, i.e. take soft foods that require little chewing,
cut up apples, etc.