The Real Cause of TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint disorder, called the TMJ in short, is a fairly common disorder of the jaw which affects nearly sixty million people in the American population. People who suffer from this condition are likely to experience pain that may be temporary, but may also last for at least a few years. For those who are affected with this problem, it is important to understand what causes TMJ disorder in order to treat it. It can’t be stated for certain exactly what causes TMJ disorder, although there are some standard contributing factors. These factors can be categorized into the following groups:

1. Dental issues: TMJ disorder is most commonly caused as a result of derangement of the jaws. This is a condition known as “malocclusion” wherein your teeth are no longer able to fit together the way they are supposed to. This condition can be a result of situations such as ill fitting dentures, tooth removal or any minor or major dental surgery, missing teeth, advent of pre molars and growth of wisdom teeth.

2. Trauma: About 99% of TMJ sufferers claim that their condition was a result of some sort of trauma or injury. Even minor blows on the head, face or jaw can result in trauma. Whiplash and traction appliances used in whiplash injuries or problems like ill fitting braces can also prove to be contributing factors.

3. Habits: Some of the things we unwittingly do in our daily lives result in TMJ disorder. A common cause is bruxism, or the habit of continually clenching one’s teeth. Bruxism puts undue pressure on the teeth and jaw resulting in the damage of cartilage and ligaments in the TMJ area. Other bad habits include chewing on pens/pencils, biting finger nails, chronic gum chewing and bad postures that put pressure on your face and jaw, such as, sleeping on your stomach and holding the phone on your shoulder.

4. Social situations: Stress has been known to cause tension in the muscles. Prolonged tightening of the muscles affects the TM Joint by putting enormous pressure on it. Eventually the tense muscles tend to shorten and result in misalignment. Social situations like family problems, financial issues, legal hassles and health concerns are stress inducers and must be dealt with.

5. Emotions: Emotional upheavals resulting from depression, anxiety, fear or anger have adverse affects that can negatively affect your whole body including the TM Joint.

Certain simple precautions should be kept in mind in order to prevent a TMJ disorder. For instance, although yawning is a reflex action, one must take care to not open one’s mouth fully but partially while yawning. Similarly, excessive chewing of bubble gum, habits like biting nails or chewing on pencils must be avoided at all costs. As the TM joint facilitates essential activities like talking, chewing and swallowing, it is important to take care of it.

Since the causes of TMJ disorder are so varied, the approach to treating it should also be multi dimensional. There is a wide variety of treatment available for the condition, ranging from simple exercises to complicated corrective surgeries. However, if you are looking for a permanent solution to your problem, it is best to adopt a holistic approach. In treating the condition holistically, you strengthen your body and equip it to heal all by itself. Not only can your body recover from the ailment; it can also prevent future occurrences of it. In the case of TMJ disorder therefore, combining relaxation therapies, which would help reduce stress, with jaw exercises, such as controlled TMJ rotation, and working on body postures that affect the head and neck, would provide a wholesome remedy for TMJ disorder. Only through holistic treatment can your body be restored to a state of well being.

This article is based on the book, “TMJ No More” by Sandra Carter. Sandra is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate TMJ disorders solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root cause of TMJ and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life,  without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more visit TMJ No More

What is TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint of the jaw that connects the lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull. This joint is an articular disc composed of fibrocartilagenous tissue. It comprises, all in all, of six parts: mandibular condyles, articular surface of the temporal bone, capsule, articular disc, ligaments and lateral pterygoid. The TM Joint facilitates movement of the jaws, thereby allowing essential functions like talking, eating and swallowing. Needless to say, the slightest afflictions caused to this joint, disrupt a great deal of its basic functions. The most common affliction that occurs is the TMJ Disorder. So, what is TMJ Disorder?

The TMJ Disorder is a term used to describe an acute inflammation of the TM Joint. It is categorized in three ways:

1. By myofascial pain: The fascia is the tissue that connects the different parts of your body. Fascia around the muscles is called myofascial. Thus, any injury to the myofascial, will automatically adversely affect the muscles. The most common TMJ disorder is associated with myofascial pain in the jaw muscles and neck.

2. By internal injury: Any dislocation, injury, or indeed, any derangement in the joint results in TMJ disorder.

3. By degenerative joint disease: Problems like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the jaw are underlying causes of TMJ disorder. It can’t be stated for certain what exactly causes TMJ disorder, although there are some standard contributing factors. These can be classified into dental issues (such as ill fitting dentures, tooth removal, missing teeth etc), injury or trauma (on or around the jaw), bad habits (like bruxism or wrong sleeping postures), social situations that cause stress and emotional upheavals (such as depression, anger or fear).

There are a number of signs that you can recognise as underlying symptoms of TMJ disorder. The most likely symptom is otalgia, more commonly known as earache. Since the TMJ is so close to the ear, if there’s a disorder in the TMJ, there are bound to be repercussions in the ear. The other fairly common symptom is toothache. Although toothaches are caused due to a number of reasons, a TMJ disorder may bring about toothaches, tooth mobility or even tooth loss. Usually, if the above listed signs are accompanied by headaches, they could be signalling a chronic TMJ disorder.

A number of remedies are available for those suffering from TMJ disorder. In the initial stages of the condition, treatments like heat and ice therapy, or jaw resting techniques are used. Pain medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen are also prescribed. Corrective dental surgeries are used if the condition worsens. Sometimes a splint or bite plate may be required to be introduced. Non invasive and natural cures are also available. These may include stress reduction therapies, soft food diets and face and neck exercises.

For conditions like TMJ disorder, it is always advisable to take a multi dimensional approach. A holistic treatment strengthens your body from within. Therefore, it is much more affective to combine alternative and conventional treatments for long lasting relief. Thus, working on stress reduction methods, along with following a soft food diet and a face and neck exercise routine can go a long way in not only healing the TMJ disorder but also in preventing it from happening again.

This article is based on the book, “TMJ No More” by Sandra Carter. Sandra is an author, researcher, nutritionist and health consultant who dedicated her life to creating the ultimate TMJ disorders solution guaranteed to permanently reverse the root cause of TMJ and dramatically improve the overall quality of your life,  without the use prescription medication and without any surgical procedures. Learn more visit  TMJ No More

Solution to TMJ Pain – What You Need to Know

Problems with your TMJ or temporomandibular joint can result to piercing jaw pain. The TMJ is a complicated structure composed of joints and muscles. People with TMJ disorder are having discomforts and pain during jaw movement. This condition can be very disturbing and it is important to find a solution to TMJ pain to feel better.

Finding a solution for TMJ pain can make your life better because TMJ symptoms are not only painful but can also interfere with your mouth movement. Imagine having difficulty in opening and closing your mouth. Eating, chewing and talking can be very difficult. In worse cases locking of jaw may occur. Ear pain and headache are also some of the symptoms. The pain may vary from mild to severe. It is important to find a solution to TMJ pain to get rid of its disturbing symptoms.

One solution to TMJ pain is to relax your jaw. The painful symptoms may disappear in a few weeks if you will give your jaw a temporary rest. As much as possible limit your jaw movement to avoid your condition from getting worse. Shift to soft diet to avoid too much pressure on your jaw. Avoid chewing gums.
Consult your doctor especially when the pain is getting severe and unbearable. The common solution to TMJ pain is over-the counter pain killers. Prolonged used of pain killers may result to other health issues and it is best to consult your doctor before taking any medication. There are also other procedures and treatments aside from medication that your doctor may recommend to correct your TMJ.

Natural treatment is another solution to TMJ pain. Some people are into natural treatment and looking for ways to get rid of TMJ without the side effects of drugs. Fortunately, TMJ can be treated using natural methods.

Discover a TMJ help program designed to help sufferers get rid of the painful symptoms of TMJ using natural methods. Visit Eliminate TMJ 


Tips in Treating Your TMJ Problem

TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder is a problem of the jaw joint. The excruciating pain and discomforts brought by this disorder can be very disturbing and it is important to know the best ways of treating your TMJ problem.

Painful and limited jaw movement, clicking or grinding sound when opening the mouth, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, jaw pain, facial pain, ear pain and headache are just some of the discomforts of TMJ disorder. Of course finding the best ways of treating your TMJ is important to get rid of those painful symptoms for good and feel better.

Over-the-counter medication is the common way of treating your TMJ. Pain killers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the common treatment that temporarily eases TMJ pain. Although medicines are not a permanent solution, the temporary relief can be very helpful to feel better. However, prolonged use of those drugs may result to side effects. It is best to consult your doctor when the pain becomes chronic.
Stress management is another way of treating your TMJ disorder. Too much stress can result to jaw muscles and bone tension and to ease your TMJ disorder, learn some relaxation techniques and manage your stress. Meditation, yoga, massage and deep breathing are some of the relaxations techniques that some TMJ sufferers find effective.

While you are treating your TMJ, it is important to avoid too much jaw movement. Allow your jaw to have a temporary rest and avoid hard and crunchy foods. As much as possible prepare soft diet and cut food into small pieces.

Treating your TMJ needs some patience and discipline. If everything else fails, do not lose hope because there are alternative treatments to get rid of TMJ symptoms for good. To eliminate TMJ visit Eliminate TMJ 

TMJ Pain Relief and Treatments – What You Need to Know

TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder is a dysfunction of the jaw joints and muscles that can be very painful and disturbing. This condition reduces your ability to smoothly move your jaw resulting to difficulty opening and closing the mouth. The jaw pain may radiate to the face, ears, neck and shoulder. People suffering from this disorder may also experience mild to severe headache. Effective TMJ pain relief and treatments are important to feel better and get rid of the pains of this jaw disorder.

Finding a TMJ pain relief that will work for you can be a real challenge. Different people respond to different treatments but here are some of the treatments to help you get rid of the pain of TMJ disorder:
Medication. The common treatment to get rid of discomforts of TMJ disorder is pain reliever medication. However, pain reliever can only give you a temporary TMJ pain relief. Prolonged use of pain relievers may lead to drug addiction and can also result to side effects or other health issues. It is best to ask the advice of your doctor before taking medications for an extended period of time to avoid complications.

Ice packs. Applying ice packs or cold compress on the affected area helps reduce swelling and relieve the pain. Make sure to wrap the ice pack on a clean towel and do not apply directly on your face or jaw to avoid frost bites.

Heat therapy. Application of moist heat can be very comforting and a good TMJ pain relief. Heat therapy can help improve the blood circulation on the affected area and it helps alleviate the pain.

Relax and take a rest. Anxiousness and stress are not good if you are experiencing TMJ pain. It is best to learn some relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga to ease your muscle and joint tension. A good rest can provide a good TMJ pain relief.

It is important to find the best treatment that will work for you to get rid of the excruciating pain brought by TMJ disorder.

Discover a TMJ help program that can help you get rid of TMJ painful symptoms, visit Eliminate TMJ 


TMJ Natural Treatment – Get Rid of the Pain Naturally

Temporomandibular joint disorder also known as TMJ is a problem of the joint that connects the jaw to the bones on the side of the head. It is a condition where there are problems in the flexibility of the jaw joint and muscle movement. Symptoms maybe treated clinically or through TMJ natural treatment.

The symptoms of TMJ disorder may vary from mild to severe. Some of the symptoms include jaw pain, headache, difficulty in opening and closing the mouth, neck pain, ear pain, headache, facial pain and locking of jaw. Of course if you have severe symptoms and having unbearable pains, you need to consult your doctor. However, there are also TMJ natural treatments that you can do at home. Here are some tips:
TMJ natural treatment #1: Avoid too much jaw movement. Avoid wide yawning, singing and chewing gums. As much as possible limit your jaw movement to avoid worsening your condition. Cut foods in small pieces and avoid hard-to-chew foods. Soft foods are better and will not put too much pressure on your jaw joint and muscles.

TMJ natural treatment #2: Manage your stress. Stress can be a factor in the occurrence of muscle spasm and tension that may lead to jaw stiffness. Stress has negative effects on our body and it is important to learn how to manage your stress. Learn to relax or engage in stress-reducing activities like yoga and meditation.
TMJ natural treatment #3: Cold or heat therapy. The application of heat or cold compress can help ease the muscle spasm and tension. Some people find it soothing to apply moist heat on the affected area and some relieve the pain by applying cold packs. Find out what works best for you.

TMJ natural treatment #4: Facial massage and exercise. Gentle facial and jaw exercises and massage can be very beneficial to relax your jaw muscles and joints. It can also increase the blood flow and ease the pain. Ask your doctor or therapist about the best relaxing exercise for your condition.

Simple natural treatments can be very beneficial for TMJ disorder. Natural remedies are ganing popularity because they are proven effective in treating different diseases.

Discover a TMJ help program that will show you how to cure your TMJ for good. Visit Eliminate TMJ.

Discover How to Effectively Manage TMJ Disorder

TMJ or temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull on the side of the head. People with TMJ disorder are encountering dysfunction around the jaw joint and muscles making jaw movement painful and difficult. Suffering from this disorder can be very disturbing and you have to know how to manage TMJ disorder.

The symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder can be very distressing and can affect the quality of your life. Symptoms include jaw pain, stiffness or locking of jaw, facial pain, headache, ear pain and difficulty to open and close the mouth. You may need to visit an ENT doctor, a dentist or a general health provider to address your symptoms. While it is recommended to visit a doctor it is also important to learn how to manage TMJ disorder. Here are some tips:

Avoid worsening your condition. To properly manage TMJ disorder, TMJ self-care practices is important. Give your jaw some rest and avoid too much jaw and mouth activity. Avoid big bites, chewing gums and hard-to-chew foods. Eat soft foods or cut foods into small bites to avoid aggravating your condition.

Pain medication. Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help to temporarily ease the painful symptoms of TMJ disorder. It is important to understand that prolonged use of pain medication can cause side effects. It is best to ask your doctor if pain relievers are not effective. Different people have different response to medications.

Cold or warm compress. You can manage TMJ diosrder with simple warm or cold compress for the immediate relief of TMJ pain. You may choose to apply either a moist heat or ice pack on the affected area to improve blood flow and to get rid of the pain.

Jaw exercises and therapy. Your therapist or health provider can help you with an exercise program to improve your jaw movement and to alleviate the pain. It is important to learn to manage TMJ disorder using simple jaw relaxation exercises and stretching with the help of your doctor or therapist.

The pain and discomforts of TMJ may last for months and it can become a chronic problem.
It is important to explore different natural treatments to get rid of TMJ pain without the side effects of drugs. To learn how to treat and manage TMJ disorder using natural treatments, visit Eliminate TMJ