A Jaw Problem Mistaken for Various Sickness

A dentist in New York was in the office when all of a sudden, a man with a chronic head pain suddenly showed up. This man carefully explained that he already consulted an internist, a neurologist, a nose and throat specialist, and an orthopaedic surgeon but was unsuccessful.

In no time, the dentist claimed that this man has a lower jaw problem called TMJ or temporomandibular joint dysfunction which could be effectively treated. This problem also was the cause for a Virginia woman's neck and facial pains which were misdiagnosed as arthritis, for apparent earaches in another woman, and for evident sinus pain in another. The way TMJ imitates different kinds of diseases has earned its nickname, ?the great imposter? which currently affects 20 percent of the population and is definitely neglected most of the time. A huge number of unconnected symptoms are experienced by victims of TMJ dysfunction. There may be functional problems in some such as the inability to open or close the mouth. Migraine, sinus problems, atypical facial pain mimicking a tic douloureux or a temporal arteritis or neck and shoulder pain are what others experience. In others, there may be no pain, only dizziness, tinnitus or ear ringing, or subjective hearing loss.

The truth is that it is not neurosis that causes the pain but it's the pain that makes them neurotic. The lower jaw or mandible rests against the skull where the temporomandibular joint is located in front of the ear. The joint can get out of adjustment if when biting or yawning, the jaw is opened too wide.

One of the most common causes is clenching or gnashing the teeth when under tension or stress. Once the joint is affected, the equilibrium of muscles and ligaments that control movement in the joint is upset. Muscles may go into involuntary contraction or spasm as a result to a painful state. This pain may cause radiation from small areas of great sensitivity called trigger areas within muscles.

Trigger areas in the TMJ muscle system undeniably produce piercing pains around the jaw and the teeth and even anywhere in the head and in the neck and shoulders. Patients are confused for they feel terrible pains when they chew, speak, or brush their teeth but when they simply open their mouths, the pain is eased.

For TMJ dysfunction to be efficiently identified, he says that tests can be done by any physician or dentist in just one minute. When the jaw moves, it creates sound similar to someone walking on gravel which is referred to as creptitus or clicking noise. For things to be easier, merely feeling each side of the TMJ as well as the muscles will already detect spasms.

In some cases, the use of jaw muscles is needed in order to restore balance. In addition to their effort on chewing on the other side as well, they may be asked to do simple exercises. First exercise would be while mouth is opened wide, the tip of the tongue is placed far back on the roof of the mouth. Another exercise would be to move the jaw away from the weak side in a given number of times to strengthen the muscles.

The key to combat spasm is to apply moist heat for 10 minutes three times a day to both sides of the face and to eat soft foods for a certain period of time. TMJ dysfunction clinics have been put up by many hospitals and dental schools lately. A positive sign towards solving the TMJ problem indeed for more dentists and doctors now show their concern towards this problem.

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