TMJ is a common disorder. In medical terms Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMJ, is a condition wherein the joint at the juncture of the upper and lower jaw stops functioning as efficiently as it should. With that surfaces complications that affect your regular lifestyle as well as sleep patterns.
What is TMJ?
The joint at the upper and the lower jaw is a complex joint and has multiple ligaments, tendons, nerves, muscles, discs and cartilage that are connected to it and need to function in sync. They need to work in complete coordination for the lower jaw to move in directions that it should. The moment the jaw stops functioning as efficiently as it should, it is known as TMJ disorder in medical parlance.
What are the symptoms of TMJ?
It can happen to anybody. Often it goes unnoticed until it actually hampers ones daily life. Often after a fitful night’s sleep, one finds it difficult to open the mouth. It seems stuck and sore, and almost like a locked jaw. One also feels tightness when trying to open and close the mouth. TMJ also makes it difficult to chew or eat normally or even to eat certain types of food. Speech may also get impaired and often can sound like a mumble jumble when trying to talk. While opening and closing your mouth there may be a clicking sound like that of a lock opening, or for that matter feel like a bone twitching.
TMJ Causes Tooth Grinding at Night
No matter how busy a person is throughout the day one cannot sleep peacefully. TMJ also results in grinding of teeth. It can be fierce and loud enough to wake up a partner sleeping next to you. The morning after can result in your mouth feeling soar as well as the teeth tingling. TMJ leads to severe sleep disorders followed by continuous dizziness and ringing sound in the ears.
TMJ often manifests in physical problems as well. For some the lower jaw may seem to be protruding forward, and the face looks out of shape. In more serious cases, the head may start to lean forward and the neck muscles get stretched. This feels uncomfortable as also gives you a bad posture.
If you have been facing these problems for some time, you may need to consult your dentist immediately, rather than letting things go out of proportion. TMJ can leave you seriously uncomfortable and deter you form leading a normal life.