What Causes TMJ?

The exact cause is not known.  Dentists believe symptoms arise from problems with the muscles of your jaw or with the parts of the joint itself. Possible causes include:

• Injury to the jaw, the joint, or the muscles of your head and neck.

• Grinding or clenching your teeth, which puts significant pressure on the joint.

• Movement of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket of the joint.

• Arthritis in the joint.

• Stress, which can cause you to tighten facial and jaw muscles or clench the teeth.

 

What Are the Symptoms?

• Pain or tenderness in your face, neck and shoulders.

• Pain in one or both jaw joints.

• Pain in or around the ear when you chew or speak.

• Pain or problems when you try to open your mouth wide.

• Jaws that get "stuck" or "lock" in the open- or closed-mouth position.

• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This may or may not be painful.

• A tired feeling in your face.

• Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite -- as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly.

• Swelling on the side of your face.

• You may also experience toothaches, headaches, dizziness, earaches, hearing problems, and ringing in the ears (tinnitus).