{"id":4084,"date":"2021-09-20T10:00:43","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T10:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/?p=4084"},"modified":"2024-03-07T01:18:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T01:18:23","slug":"jaw-pain-clicking-or-popping-you-may-have-tmd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedentalexpress.com\/dental-blog\/jaw-pain-clicking-or-popping-you-may-have-tmd\/","title":{"rendered":"Jaw Pain, Clicking, or Popping? You May Have TMD"},"content":{"rendered":"

TMD is a common dental health condition that affects the jaw. Learn the signs, symptoms, treatment options, and all the essential facts below<\/span><\/h1>\n

The human body is a medical marvel.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The heart, lungs, nervous system, joints, the muscles that move them, and so much more all work in harmony to ensure a properly functioning body.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Today, we\u2019ll be focusing on one of the many joints that keep us moving and grooving throughout our daily lives…<\/span><\/p>\n

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Perhaps one of the most important of which is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) that connects your jawbone to your skull. This crucial joint is responsible for helping us chew our food and communicate with others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, years of biting, chewing our food, and clenching can potentially lead to TMJ dysfunction<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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The situation can be worst and causes jaw pain<\/strong> because of grinding of teeth, and toothache.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Moreover, if you have any gum disease, it may also lead to this disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

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If you find that your jaw clicks, pops, or hurts when opening or closing your mouth, you won\u2019t want to miss this article. Below, you\u2019ll find everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this dental health condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

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So, let\u2019s jump in!<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Temporomandibular Joint?<\/span><\/h1>\n

As we covered above, the TMJ allows your mouth to open and close so you can talk, sing, shout, eat, drink, and more!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Like the shoulder, the TMJ is a ball-and-socket joint, allowing for a wider range of motion than joints like the elbow or knee.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The lower mandible or jawbone connects to both sides of your skull right in front of your ears, and a complex network of ligaments and muscles work together to open and close your mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The jaw acts as a hinge, with cartilage surrounding the joint and a <\/span>\u201csmall shock-absorbing disk\u201d<\/b><\/a> connecting the bones to ensure comfortable movement.<\/span><\/p>\n

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However, as with most complex systems, if one small piece has an issue, it can affect all the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Causes Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?<\/span><\/h1>\n

Referring to research by the Journal of the <\/span>American Family Physician<\/b><\/a>, we can discover some interesting facts about TMD:<\/span><\/p>\n