What is TMJ syndrome?
The lower jaw is attached to the skull by a joint on either side of the face, called the temporomandibular joint. We refer to it as the TMJ. Any number of problems associated with the chewing muscles, ligaments, bones, or the joints can prevent the TMJ from functioning properly. Common signs and symptoms are headache, especially in the morning, tenderness of the jaw muscles, pain in or around the ear, clicking, popping, or grating sounds, pain or difficulty in chewing, yawning, or opening wide, earache, and dizziness. TMJ difficulties can be caused by unconscious habits like teeth clenching or teeth grinding. Another cause may be the way the teeth fit together. This can stress your chewing muscles, leading to spasm and pain.
