Tackling a Commonly Misunderstood Condition
TMJ is often incorrectly used to refer to the popping sound that can occur in a person’s jaw when they’re speaking or eating. TMJ isn’t the condition itself, but the parts of the body affected by the clicking or popping—the temporomandibular joints. You have two of them; one is found under the skin and muscles in front of each of your ears. These joints connect the mandible (lower jaw) to your skull and are essentially hinges that enable your mouth to open and close. Jaw pain and popping are common symptoms of TMJ disorders, which can have a variety of causes. You may be consciously or unconsciously grinding your teeth, suffering from a misalignment of the teeth (sometimes referred to as malocclusion), or experiencing stress that’s causing your jaw muscles themselves to become stressed. The symptoms can appear in your head, mouth, and upper body. If they’re persistent and are beginning to interfere with your normal activities, we recommend that you schedule an appointment for TMJ treatment in Tolland, CT.
