TMD is an umbrella term for any disorder of the jaw muscles and/or temporomandibular joints that are associated with chronic facial pain. It is caused by too much stress on the jaw muscles and joints that control chewing, swallowing and speech or because of a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. TMD can also be caused by a condition called myofascial pain (pain in the muscles that connect to the jaw, neck and shoulder) or an internal derangement of the joint (dislocated jaw bone or displaced disc in the cartilage cushion that is between the rounded upper end of the jaw bone and skull).

How to Recognize the Signs of TMD

Symptoms vary greatly. Common ones are pain in the chewing muscles or jaw, limited movement of the jaw or locking of the jaw, clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth, and ringing in the ears or tightness of the neck or head muscles.

Usually, a physical exam of the face and jaw is enough to diagnose TMD. Other diagnostic tests include a hearing test, an image study of the head and neck, and an intraoral exam (examining inside the mouth). Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and review your health history. They may suggest that you avoid foods that require a lot of chewing or can strain the jaw muscles, and they may advise ice packs for sore muscles. Over-the-counter NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can help reduce muscle pain and swelling. Complementary treatments such as acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have been shown to help in some cases.