Information and facts on TMJ syndrome

 

TMJ syndrome affects over 10 million people in the USA alone. The name TMJ means  temporomandibular joint syndrome because the condition involves that joint not working properly. It produces pain in the jaw joints and muscles and the pain can feel like it is all over the face and even the neck and shoulders. The person may have problems both opening and closing their mouth. Other symptoms may include: dizzy, pressure behind eyes, ringing in the ears, earache, and clicking or grinding when chewing. The most common causes of TMJ syndrome is stress. People with hypoglycemia are more vulnerable to having TMJ syndrome due to when their blood sugar is low they tend to clench or grind their teeth. A good diet and proper nutritional supplements are very valuable for TMJ and often solve the problem.

Over10 million people in the USA suffer from TMJ or temporomandibular joint syndrome, a condition in which the temporomandibular joint does not function correctly. This joint connects the temporal bone which is the bone that forms the sides of the skull with the jawbone. This painful affliction produces pain in the muscles and joints of the jaw that sometimes radiates to the face, neck, and shoulder. There may also be difficulty opening the mouth all the way, and clicking, grinding, and popping noises may occur during chewing and movement of the joint. Headaches, toothaches, dizziness, feelings of pain and pressure behind the eyes, pain and ringing in the ears, and difficulty opening and closing the jaw normally are other possible symptoms.

The jaw joint is embedded in an intricate web of nerves and muscle. The force of normal chewing and of clenching or gritting the teeth creates great tension and pressure in that area of the face. The cartilage disk that cushions the joint may become displaced or wear out. This causes the bones of the temporomandibular joint to rub against one another, rather than gliding smoothly past each other. In some instances, a misalignment of the jaw and teeth prevents smooth operation of the joint. The most common underlying causes of TMJ are stress and a poor bite, together with clenching and grinding of the teeth also known as bruxism, especially while sleeping at night. TMJ can also be caused by bad posture, habits such as cradling the telephone between the shoulder and jaw, repeated or hard blows to the jaw or chin, or even whiplash. Poor dental work and orthodontia may make the problem worse, as can habits such as gum chewing, thumb-sucking, and chewing exclusively on one side of the mouth. A common contributing factor is hypoglycemia; people tend to clench and grind their teeth more when their blood sugar is low. To diagnose TMJ, a doctor may use x-rays and a technique called arthrography, in which an opaque dye is injected into the joint and then viewed with fluoroscopy. A correct diet and the proper supplements, possibly in conjunction with other treatment, are valuable for TMJ and often solve the problem as well as related health issues as well.

TMJ SELF-TEST

Place your little fingers in your ears so that hearing is obstructed. Then slowly and steadily open and close your jaw. If at any point you hear a clicking, popping, and/or grinding noise, the jaw joints may be out of alignment, and examination by a professional experienced in diagnosing and treating TMJ is advisable.

Other Changes To Make

• drink 6-8 glasses of steam distilled or filtered water a day

• eat 50% raw fruits and vegetables (organic is best)

• nuts, seeds, and whole grains are good

• juice is good (make your own with a juice machine)

• do not worry as much about calories as eating the right foods

• carrot and celery sticks are good to use as a snack

• a colon cleansing can be very helpful - (do several times each year)

• do not drink coffee, alcohol, soda pop, other junk food drinks

• do not eat processed foods white sugar, white flour, etc...

• use stress relief like going for walks in the park (or the 10/90 rule - see Stress)

• brown rice is good to eat

• avoid red meat and animal fats

• reduce dairy products cheese, milk, and others

• fast a few days a month

• get at least 8 hours of sleep 

• exercise light to moderate amounts

• avoid artificial sweeteners like Aspartame and NutraSweet

• do not smoke and avoid second hand smoke

• do not skip meals - just eat better and not as much at each meal

• do not chew gum - it can cause you to feel hungry

• do not watch too much TV try reading a book or something else

All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, or to administer to any physical ailments.
In all matters related to your health please contact a qualified, licensed Medical Consultant or Doctor.