TMJ stands for “temporal-mandibular joint.” Temporal refers to the temple area of skull. Mandibular, or the mandible, is the lower jaw. And the joint is where the head and jaw meet. Where the two bones meet there is also cartilage (a buffer for the bone) and five key muscles in the area. If you begin to experience issues in this joint it could be caused by a misalignment of the teeth, trauma, or excess muscle tension. Stress to the temporomandibular joint can lead to a variety of aches, pains and difficulty.

Problems in the TMJ area can cause:

• Headaches
• Earaches
• Trouble/soreness in opening and closing the mouth
• Clicking or popping of the jaw
• Pain in the jaw muscles
• Soreness in the area, sometimes extending to the face

Dental treatments for the condition can include moving teeth, (through orthodontics), polishing teeth to adjust the bite, or using a night guard. There is no one solution that is right for all cases.

Because issues in this region are so often caused by clenching or grinding (especially during sleep), a plastic mouthpiece is often the simplest, most effective solution. A night guard cushions your teeth from the severe pressure that your strong jaw muscle can inflict.