| TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint. It | | | | put pressure or stress on the jaw, like |
| is a joint in your jaw that can sometimes | | | | clenching teeth, chewing gum or tightening |
| develop problems. The name of this | | | | jaw muscles. Other treatment options are |
| temporomandibular joint dysfunction is | | | | medication, dental treatment, and surgery.The |
| TMJ.What Causes TMJ?TMJ can be caused by | | | | medication used is usually an |
| overuse of the temporomandibular joint. | | | | over-the-counter pain reliever like |
| Things that can cause clenching of teeth or | | | | Ibuprofen. For more severe pain, |
| tightening of the jaw are stress or anxiety. | | | | anti-inflammatory prescription medication can |
| Tension in the jaw can cause TMJ.TMJ can also | | | | be an option. A dental appliance such as a |
| be caused by a misalignment of the upper and | | | | biteplate can be an effective treatment for |
| lower joints. This can be caused by a car | | | | grinding teeth and clenched jaws.As a last |
| accident or natural occurrence Inflammation | | | | resort, surgery can be performed to repair or |
| of that joint can also be caused by | | | | remove the disk between the jaw and the |
| arthritis.TMJ Symptoms:Ear PainFrequent | | | | temporal bone. This option, however, is for |
| HeadachesA Locked JawClicking in the JawJaw, | | | | extreme cases only and should only be pursued |
| Cheek or Temple SorenessOptions for | | | | after all other options have been |
| Treatment:Find ways to eliminate habits that | | | | exhausted.Written by Carrie Reeder. |