The temporomandibular joints connect the jawbone to your skull. They function like a hinge, but they also have the capacity to slide—think of how you can move your bottom teeth forward and backwards, as well as side to side. As you can imagine, the temporomandibular joints are extremely important because they allow us to perform essential tasks, mainly eating and speaking.
The temporomandibular joints connect the jawbone to your skull. They function like a hinge, but they also have the capacity to slide—think of how you can move your bottom teeth forward and backwards, as well as side to side. As you can imagine, the temporomandibular joints are extremely important because they allow us to perform essential tasks, mainly eating and speaking.
What is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TJD)?
Those with temporomandibular joint dysfunction have difficulties with moving their jaw and the facial muscles that are connected to it. It is often quite painful, with dull or sharp pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and/or jaw, especially when moving the jaw, but also when the jaw is at rest. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction often interferes with eating and speech, as well.
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction?
Some of the signs include:
● Pain in head, neck, shoulders, jaw, teeth, ears, and/or temples, usually exacerbated by motion
● Clicking, grinding, or popping noises when moving the jaw
● Jaw locking when opened
● Difficulty and/or pain while opening and closing the mouth
Sometimes temporomandibular joint dysfunction improves with time, but in cases where it is interfering with one’s ability to function normally, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This means if it is interfering with one’s ability to eat, drink, sleep, talk, or concentrate on daily tasks.
How is temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated?
Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, rest, and alternating heat and ice compresses. Severe cases, such as the ones we treat at the Little Baby Face Foundation, may require surgery to restore healthy jaw function.
At the Little Baby Face Foundation, we treat children with facial birth defects that interfere with their quality of life and their health. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is one of the many conditions we treat because no child should have to deal with chronic pain, nor should any parent have to see their child in pain or struggling with fundamental functions like eating and talking.
We are able to provide this life-changing treatment free of charge thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, volunteer physicians and staff, and partner hospitals. You can read more about our mission here or consider making a donation here. For families of children with facial birth defects, you can apply for treatment through our online application.
Those with temporomandibular joint dysfunction have difficulties with moving their jaw and the facial muscles that are connected to it. It is often quite painful, with dull or sharp pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and/or jaw, especially when moving the jaw, but also when the jaw is at rest. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction often interferes with eating and speech, as well.
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction?
Some of the signs include:
● Pain in head, neck, shoulders, jaw, teeth, ears, and/or temples, usually exacerbated by motion
● Clicking, grinding, or popping noises when moving the jaw
● Jaw locking when opened
● Difficulty and/or pain while opening and closing the mouth
Sometimes temporomandibular joint dysfunction improves with time, but in cases where it is interfering with one’s ability to function normally, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This means if it is interfering with one’s ability to eat, drink, sleep, talk, or concentrate on daily tasks.
How is temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated?
Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, rest, and alternating heat and ice compresses. Severe cases, such as the ones we treat at the Little Baby Face Foundation, may require surgery to restore healthy jaw function.
At the Little Baby Face Foundation, we treat children with facial birth defects that interfere with their quality of life and their health. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is one of the many conditions we treat because no child should have to deal with chronic pain, nor should any parent have to see their child in pain or struggling with fundamental functions like eating and talking.
We are able to provide this life-changing treatment free of charge thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, volunteer physicians and staff, and partner hospitals. You can read more about our mission here or consider making a donation here. For families of children with facial birth defects, you can apply for treatment through our online application.
What is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TJD)?
Those with temporomandibular joint dysfunction have difficulties with moving their jaw and the facial muscles that are connected to it. It is often quite painful, with dull or sharp pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and/or jaw, especially when moving the jaw, but also when the jaw is at rest. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction often interferes with eating and speech, as well.
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction?
Some of the signs include:
● Pain in head, neck, shoulders, jaw, teeth, ears, and/or temples, usually exacerbated by motion
● Clicking, grinding, or popping noises when moving the jaw
● Jaw locking when opened
● Difficulty and/or pain while opening and closing the mouth
Sometimes temporomandibular joint dysfunction improves with time, but in cases where it is interfering with one’s ability to function normally, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This means if it is interfering with one’s ability to eat, drink, sleep, talk, or concentrate on daily tasks.
How is temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated?
Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, rest, and alternating heat and ice compresses. Severe cases, such as the ones we treat at the Little Baby Face Foundation, may require surgery to restore healthy jaw function.
At the Little Baby Face Foundation, we treat children with facial birth defects that interfere with their quality of life and their health. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is one of the many conditions we treat because no child should have to deal with chronic pain, nor should any parent have to see their child in pain or struggling with fundamental functions like eating and talking.
We are able to provide this life-changing treatment free of charge thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, volunteer physicians and staff, and partner hospitals. You can read more about our mission here or consider making a donation here. For families of children with facial birth defects, you can apply for treatment through our online application.
Those with temporomandibular joint dysfunction have difficulties with moving their jaw and the facial muscles that are connected to it. It is often quite painful, with dull or sharp pain in the head, neck, shoulders, and/or jaw, especially when moving the jaw, but also when the jaw is at rest. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction often interferes with eating and speech, as well.
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction?
Some of the signs include:
● Pain in head, neck, shoulders, jaw, teeth, ears, and/or temples, usually exacerbated by motion
● Clicking, grinding, or popping noises when moving the jaw
● Jaw locking when opened
● Difficulty and/or pain while opening and closing the mouth
Sometimes temporomandibular joint dysfunction improves with time, but in cases where it is interfering with one’s ability to function normally, it’s a good idea to see a doctor. This means if it is interfering with one’s ability to eat, drink, sleep, talk, or concentrate on daily tasks.
How is temporomandibular joint dysfunction treated?
Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, rest, and alternating heat and ice compresses. Severe cases, such as the ones we treat at the Little Baby Face Foundation, may require surgery to restore healthy jaw function.
At the Little Baby Face Foundation, we treat children with facial birth defects that interfere with their quality of life and their health. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is one of the many conditions we treat because no child should have to deal with chronic pain, nor should any parent have to see their child in pain or struggling with fundamental functions like eating and talking.
We are able to provide this life-changing treatment free of charge thanks to the generosity of our incredible donors, volunteer physicians and staff, and partner hospitals. You can read more about our mission here or consider making a donation here. For families of children with facial birth defects, you can apply for treatment through our online application.