Address Jaw Pain And Improve Your Bite

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction, can be a really serious issue, but it’s often difficult to know when you should seek medical attention.

Most people try to just tough it out and hope the pain goes away on its own, but this is rarely the case. In fact, TMJ and jaw pain is often one of the earliest signs of a more serious condition, such as anxiety and stress.

Archer St Physiotherapy Centre is here to help. We are experts in diagnosing and treating all types of jaw pain. We offer treatment for all sorts of jaw pain, clicking, and facial pain; from the mildest cases to the most severe. We’ll work with you to find a treatment plan that works best for you, and we’ll help you get back to feeling like yourself again.

Get To Know Your Jaw Anatomy

The mandible or lower jaw, has two vertical extensions on either side, and a condyle on top. Symmetry and shape of the condyle vary. Where the condyles meet the temporal bone of the skull is the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The articular discs cushion the space between these two bones and prevent them from touching. While the synovial membranes, synovial fluid, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue surround the articular disc.

The mandibular bone is supported by three ligaments that stabilize the joint, prevent dislocation, and prevent dislocation. Every time you open or close your mouth or move your jaw forward, back, or side-to-side, you use the TMJ. A complex joint that produces sliding and hinge motions in conjunction with masticatory muscles.

Masseter. Among the four muscles of mastication, this quadrangular muscle is the most powerful. It lifts your mandible and closes your mouth, and is made up of two parts.
Temporalis.This muscle is also necessary for crushing and grinding objects between the molars, in addition to lifting the mandible and closing the mouth.
Medial pterygoid.This muscle has both a deep and a superficial appearance, due to its quadrangular shape. It elevates and laterally deviates your mandible to the opposite side, as it does with the masseter and temporalis muscles.
Lateral pterygoid. The two-part muscle has the shape of a triangle and is mainly responsible for moving your jaw forward, but can also move it sideways.

CAUSES

Typical Causes Of Jaw Pain

Various factors can cause jaw pain, including structural or mechanical problems with the spine, inflammatory conditions, and other medical conditions.

Trauma

Muscle tension can result from injuries or strains, resulting in jaw pain. Jaw pain can be caused by:

A broken jaw: This can be the result of a fall or a blow to the face.
A dislocated jaw: This can happen when you open the mouth too widely, such as when you yawn.
The recovery process from dental surgery can cause jaw pain.

Teeth grinding and clenching

During times of emotional stress or while sleeping, some people grind their teeth. This condition is known as bruxism. Jaw pain and significant tooth damage can result from it.

Arthritis

The smooth interface between the joints is worn away by osteoarthritis and other forms of arthritis. It can lead to bone pain. Joint inflammation can also occur as a result of inflammatory conditions such as synovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis. When these conditions affect the jaw bone joint, pain can result.

Dental conditions

Cavities, damaged teeth, and abscesses can all cause jaw pain.

Neuropathic pain

When nerves are damaged, pain signals reach the brain and cause this type of pain. These symptoms may be continuous or sporadic. Trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, and cancer-related pain are examples of neuropathic pain.

Vascular conditions

A problem with the vascular system can sometimes cause jaw pain. A vascular condition such as temporal arteritis or giant cell arteritis, and angina are examples.

Osteomyelitis

An infection called osteomyelitis can affect the jaw bone and surrounding tissues. Dental issues seldom cause this condition.

Tension headaches

Tension headaches are caused by stress. Some people who experience temporomandibular jaw pain also experience headaches, but there seems to be no connection between the two conditions. For this reason, it is unclear whether or not there is a link between jaw pain and headache.

Common Symptoms Of Jaw Pain

There are several causes of jaw pain, including physical injuries, nerve damage, infections, and more. A cluster of conditions known as temporomandibular disorders affects the joints, muscles, and bones of the jaw. Symptoms include pain and discomfort. The following symptoms may occur:

Face and jaw pain
Locking of the jaw
Grinding or popping noises
Grinding or clenching of teeth
Trouble chewing or opening the mouth
Feeling of burning in the mouth
Sensitive teeth

TREATMENTS

Physiotherapy Treatments For Your Jaw Pain

01.

Jaw Therapy

Experience site-specific jaw therapy to address concerns regarding the temporomandibular joint and your bite health.

02.

Dry Needling

This treatment addresses trigger points that have developed in the muscle fascia. Subsequent relief from pain and limitation of motion can be observed.

03.

Heat Therapy

Reduce painful spasms by inducing muscle relaxation with heat. Disrupt pain signals transmissions and breathe that sigh of relief.

04.

Hands-on Therapy

Increase joint mobility to bring back normal range of motion

05.

Massage

Treat chronic musculoskeletal conditions to relieve pain and tension

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ's About Jaw Pain

Does physio help with bruxism?

The clenching and grinding of teeth (also called bruxism) is often caused by stress and anxiety. Hence, we observe it at the end of high school, in university, and at the beginning of our first jobs, when work and study pressures dominate our lives. For some people, the behavior becomes habitual even when their stress levels are low and becomes a significant issue when their stress levels increase. It doesn’t cause symptoms for the vast majority of people, but it can perpetuate many silent TMJ problems (jaw joint), contribute to headaches and wear down the teeth over time.

It is necessary to break the cycle (which can be done by a physiotherapist or dentist) and learn some stress-management strategies. In conjunction with a few other strategies, it can form the basis of a holistic stress management approach. Myofascial release, trigger point therapy, foam rolling, etc. can temporarily reduce muscle tightness by as much as 30% for up to 48 hours. If you are considering Botox into the jaw muscles, it is best to consult a physiotherapist first to find out if any conservative measures can be taken. Also, targeted muscle retraining may help balance the jaw and restore symmetry.

How do you get rid of tension in the jaw?

You can sometimes relieve tight jaw muscles by performing targeted exercises and stretches. Consider the following:

Manual Jaw-opening Exercise

Repeat opening and closing your mouth several times as a warm-up. Work your way up to 12 repetitions of this stretch by repeating it 3 times at first.

Put your fingers on the tops of your four bottom front teeth.
Pull down slowly until you feel discomfort on the tight side of your jaw.
Please hold for 30 seconds.
Put your jaws back in their original positions by slowly releasing them.

Jaw Joint Stretch

Stretching the jaw and neck muscles is beneficial.

Place the tip of your tongue directly behind your top front teeth without touching them, on the roof of your mouth.
Use your tongue to apply gentle pressure. As widely as you can, open your mouth, then slowly close it.
When you feel discomfort, stop. Repetition is recommended. If it causes you any pain, you should not do this exercise.

Smile Stretch

stretching relieves stress in the facial muscles, upper and lower jaw, and neck.

Feel as free as possible to smile without feeling pain or tightness.
Open your jaws by 2 additional inches while smiling.
Take a deep breath through your mouth, then let go of the smile as you exhale.
You can repeat this up to 10 times.

Can a physio fix a misaligned jaw?

TMD can be treated with physiotherapy by reducing pain and inflammation in the joint and improving movement and function. Physiotherapy treats TMD holistically: It addresses both the TMJ and other parts of the body that contribute to the problem.

Exercises commonly used by physiotherapists include:

Correction of posture
Jaw movement exercises
Manual therapy, such as massage, stretching, and joint mobilization
Laser and ultrasound treatments
Relaxation training

Physiotherapists may consult with your dentist or orthodontist when crafting an individual treatment plan for TMD and its treatment options.

How long will TMJ pain last?

Stress is one of the most common causes of TMJ flare-ups. Stress often causes teeth grinding or clenching that can exacerbate TMJ symptoms. The consumption of hard, crunchy and chewy foods like raw carrots, crunchy bagels, tough cuts of meat, whole apples, and nuts is another common trigger. An injury or trauma to the jaw can also cause painful symptoms. Other factors that can trigger a TMJ flare-up include dehydration, a lack of vitamin D, changes in hormone levels, and poor posture that puts stress on the TMJ and other parts of the face.