Experiencing Jaw Pain When Eating? Gary J. Maguire, PT Physical Therapist

The jaw consists of the temporal bones of the skull and the hanging hinge bone called the mandible. They form two joints, one on each side of the face. Together they are known as the tempomandibular joint, or TMJ. The jaw initially opens like a hinge and then slides forward like a sliding drawer. Within each joint is a little disc pad called a meniscus. Muscles work to open and close the jaw. Muscle tension, disc problems, poor posture or other dental problems can create upper jaw pain while eating.

How the Jaw Works

When you bite down hard, force is placed on the object between your teeth and on the temporomandibular joint. The mechanical mechanism in the jaw is the lever and the TMJ is the fulcrum. More force is applied per square foot to the joint surface than to whatever is between your teeth because the cartilage between the bones provides a smooth surface. This allows the joint to freely slide with minimal friction, according to The American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD, consists of a variety of conditions that affect jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints and nerves associated with facial pain. Symptoms may occur on one or both sides of the face, head or jaw, or develop after an injury. TMD affects more than twice as many women than men, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Clenching or grinding your teeth, known as bruxism, can also lead to TMD.

Causes of TMD

Jaw pain can result from a variety of causes. It may occur locally within the TMJ, in the disc pad located within the joint capsule or in the ear. Pain from muscle spasms or soft tissue structures is also a source. The muscles of the jaw consist of the massater, temporalis or internal and external pterygoid. These can become out of balance and cause misalignment of the jaw. Other muscle imbalances in the neck and shoulders from poor posture can also affect the jaw.

Control of Jaw Muscles

Control your jaw muscles to reduce irritation on your teeth and joints. Start with your lips closed, teeth slightly apart and your tongue resting lightly on the hard pallet behind the front of your teeth. Breath gently in and out through your nose. Try opening and closing your mouth slowly with your tongue on the roof of your mouth. If your jaw deviates, gently use your fingers to guide it in a straight opening and closing movement. Use a mirror for monitoring.

Prevention/Solution

Reducing jaw pain while eating can be a simple problem occurring from posture, muscle imbalance or joint irritation. Physical therapy treatment can help to address these problems. If you have jaw problems from grinding or clenching your teeth, an oral specialist can fit you with a teeth appliance. This may not correct the problem but can reduce muscle tension and damage to your teeth. Psychological counseling may be necessary to deal with underlying stress that can create jaw irritation from clenching.

 

Reference

• American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery: TMJ [http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/tmj.cfm]
• Academy of General Dentistry: Know Your Teeth [http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=t&iid=334&aid=1351]

Resource

• MayoClinic.com: TMJ Disorders [http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/tmj-disorders/DS00355/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print]

Keywords

 

TMJ pain, jaw pain, pain when chewing, jaw irritation, jaw problems, Gary, J., Maguire, PT, Physical Therapist, Physical, Therapist, Pain, Physical Therapy, Vancouver, WA