What can cause TMJ syndromes?
There are various causes for TMJ syndrome, such as: changes in occlusion, occlusal interferences (changes in the dynamics of the bite), loss of posterior support, trauma, dental work, certain oral habits (clenching or grinding of teeth), disease processes, or just wear and tear on the joint, secondary to aging. Traumatic events such as a blow or punch to the jaw can break the jaw bone itself, or stretch the muscles and even injure the disc, causing problems in the joint. Birth trauma may play a role in breast feeding problems, as many unnatural births or C-Sections are traumatic to the baby’s cervical spine and the TMJ joint due to the severe pull administered to the newborn’s head, neck, and jaw during delivery. A traumatic event such as an automobile accident that involves whiplash can cause hyper-extension of the cervical spine. As the lower jaw lags behind in this motion, it can result in over extension of the joint itself, compression of the TMJ disc, and internal disruption of th
