Actually temporamandibular joint pain can occur from motor vehicle accidents of all kinds including car accidents and truck accidents (plus other traumatic incidents).
Temporomandibular Joint Pain
Although most people associate car accident injuries with neck and back problems, many people are surprised to learn how the jaw bones can also be affected. Injuries to this area can include difficulties with opening or closing the mouth, clicking sounds, headaches, earaches, dizziness and a host of other problems.
What is TMJ? What About TMD?
The joint of the jaw is known as the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Each side of the jaw has a joint, both working together.
When pain or dysfunction affects the temporomandibular joint, this is referred to as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (or dysfunction), known as TMD. TMD is also known as temporomandibular joint syndrome.
TMD can include problems relating not only to the joint itself but also those affecting the muscles, ligaments, tendons, blood vessels and other related tissues.
Causes of TMD
There is some evidence to indicate that a large number of TMJ problems are caused by trauma. Trauma can include any forceful injury to the jaw. Whiplash injury is included as such a trauma, as well as airbags.
Whiplash and TMJ Problems
In a whiplash type scenario, the head is thrown violently backwards and forwards, which can cause the mouth to be wrenched open. This violent forced opening of the mouth can stretch and tear ligaments and connective tissues in one or both of the temporomandibular joints, as well as to possibly displace the disc in the TMJ.
As a result, symptoms of TMD can show up. Proper diagnosis and treatment is important.
Airbags and TMD
Deployment of airbags can be another cause of TMD. While airbags have saved many lives, it’s also true that airbags can cause injuries in and of themselves.
An airbag hitting the face can cause the TMJs to become injured. This is a typical trauma situation. Swelling and pain can occur not long after and can lead to the symptoms of TMD, including changes in the dental bite.
Stress and Tension and TMD
Stress and resulting tension in the jaw can cause asymptomatic TMD to flare up, or become aggravated. This can happen as a person may involuntarily tighten or clench facial or jaw muscles leading to inflammation of the jaw. Note, however, that stress can cause a flare-up of TMD primarily in those people who are already predisposed to TMJ problems.
Common Symptoms of TMD
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder can include:
- clicking, popping, or grating sounds when opening or closing your mouth
- headaches
- earaches
- jaw pain
- pain in your face
- neck stiffness and difficulty when turning your head
- difficulty with chewing or biting
- tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- change in bite
- visual changes, including blurry vision and/or light sensitivity
- difficulties with swallowing
- neck and shoulder pain
- dizziness, and
- difficulties with opening or closing your mouth, among other symptoms.
Note that if the only symptoms that occur are jaw clicking – without accompanying pain or locking of the jaw – no treatment is needed. Many people in the population suffer from jaw clicking.
Sometimes symptoms of TMD can mimic typical migraine headache pain. This can include pressure and pain in the ear, headaches, sensitivity in the teeth, cheeks, neck and shoulder.
In many cases, when the temporomandibular joint becomes inflamed, significant pain and impairment can result.
Treatment of TMD
TMD crosses into several areas of health care. In particular, dentistry and neurology both deal with TMD issues. As a result, there are a variety of treatment approaches.
Treatment can include medications such as anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants. In addition, local anesthetics may also be used. Physiotherapy can be prescribed that specifically deals with TMD problems. Stabilization splints such as a nightgaurd or biteplate, as well as special orthodontics, are sometimes also used. In some severe cases, surgery may even be needed.
Proper diagnosis and treatment is essential. As many of the problems of TMD may not appear to be directly related to the jaw, it is important that if TMD be suspected it be dealt with by the proper health care provider.