If you’re suffering from bruxism (teeth grinding) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, you may wonder if your teeth grinding was what caused your jaw pain, or if the pain and dysfunction in the joint and muscles of your jaw are what’s behind the teeth grinding. In fact, that question is a bit of a chicken-and-egg conundrum, because the association can go either way:

• Bruxism to TMJ disorder: Repeated clenching of the jaw and teeth grinding can cause muscle spasms in the jaw and uneven pressure on the joints, which can lead to TMJ disorder.
• TMJ disorder to bruxism: An injured or inflamed jaw joint can cause teeth grinding or clenching.

While someone who grinds their teeth won’t necessarily develop a TMJ disorder, or vice versa, many patients suffer from both simultaneously. They may even be unaware that they have both due to the similarity in symptoms. Determining whether a TMJ disorder is at the root of jaw pain, though, is important in pursuing effective treatment that will relieve pain and restore proper function.

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ Disorder?

Symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Jaw pain and tenderness
• Headaches
• Earaches
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Popping, clicking, or grinding noises in the jaw
• Lockjaw
• Changes in how the teeth fit together
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears

Many of these symptoms can also be attributed to bruxism, though with teeth grinding, chipping and cracking of the teeth may also be noticed. Over time, as enamel is worn down, the teeth may become more sensitive and painful. A patient suffering from a TMJ disorder alone may not experience the same effects on their teeth.

Sometimes, jaw pain may be temporary and resolve with only minor at-home treatment being necessary. When TMJ disorder symptoms persist, though, different types of treatment may be tried to relieve pain and improve function, such as:

• Medication: Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, or muscle relaxers to relieve muscle spasms
• Physical therapy: Exercises to strengthen and stretch jaw muscles
• Custom mouth guards: Dental appliances to improve jaw position and reduce the effect of teeth grinding and clenching

In addition, stress management techniques may be recommended, as stress and anxiety can contribute to the development and severity of TMJ disorder (as well as bruxism). However, if these noninvasive approaches don’t provide relief, surgery for TMJ may be suggested.

The Role of Poor Posture and Alignment in TMJ Disorders

Understandably, many patients hesitate to proceed with surgery even if their TMJ pain isn’t responding to typical treatment techniques. But it isn’t always surprising if the standard approach doesn’t produce the hoped-for results. Therapies that narrowly focus on what is going on in the jaw may miss another key underlying factor in TMJ disorders: poor posture.

Poor posture can cause misalignments in the spine, neck, and jaw. This strains the muscles and joints of the jaw and can push the lower jaw forward, misaligning the bite. If those misalignments persist, it may be impossible to fully resolve TMJ pain by other means. Chiropractic treatment can be the answer that helps achieve long-term pain relief without reliance on drugs or resorting to invasive, risky surgery.

At Divine Spine, we have effectively treated patients suffering from TMJ disorders with our gentle chiropractic method. We start with a comprehensive exam and in-house X-rays to determine the location of any misalignments and an individualized plan for treating them. We use precise, computerized adjustments to comfortably guide your joints into the proper alignment. There’s no popping, cracking, or harsh adjustments to fear at Divine Spine—just safe, gentle progress toward pain relief and better movement.

If you’re tired of living with jaw pain, and unhappy at having to rely on medication for any respite, our state-of-the-art chiropractic care can provide a natural solution that lets you put the misery of a TMJ disorder behind you. With offices in Yorba Linda and Orange Hills, Divine Spine is conveniently located for Southern California patients. To schedule your free initial consultation, contact us here today.