A member asked:

Please share an interesting fact about tmj syndrome.

63 doctors weighed in across 57 answers
Dr. Thomas Benda, jr answered

Specializes in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

TMJ: Tmj problems frequently present as ear pain, it's TMJ if it hurts when you bite down.

Answered 8/1/2014

5.2k views

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Bruxism: Bruxism means tooth grinding.

Answered 9/29/2016

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TMJ: Tmj can present with ear pain.

Answered 9/16/2014

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Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

TMJ: Tmj "is short for temporomandibular joint, so in real life everyone has "tmj!".

Answered 9/29/2016

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The: The only time your teeth should touch is when you swallow.

Answered 2/28/2014

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TMJ: Tmj means tempero-mandibular joint. Tmd means tempero-mandibular disease.

Answered 9/29/2016

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Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

TMJ: Tmj is not an accurate diagnosis but a group of problems related to the jaw joint.

Answered 9/29/2016

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Dr. Geoffrey Rutledge answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

A: That a bad bite leads to TMJ problems is not necessarily true.

Answered 6/10/2014

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Get: Get an athletic mouth guard & use @ bedtime. Will prevent grating your teeth while you sleep.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.2k views

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Dr. Brian Hoffman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

TMJ: Tmj syndrome is untreatable? This is a myth, see your dentist for possible cures and treatment.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.2k views

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Dr. Brian Hoffman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Most: Most TMJ syndrome is easily treated, and discomfort can be almost completely removed, in many cases.

Answered 9/29/2016

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Dr. Clarence Lyons answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Avoid: Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods and chewing gum.

Answered 6/23/2014

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Dr. Abraham Jaskiel answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Tmj: Tmj issues (tmd) can cause vertigo and dizziness.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.1k views

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Save: Save maintenance costs over your lifetime. See an orthodontic specialist for straightening now.

Answered 9/29/2016

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Consider: Consider acupuncture, meditation, hypnosis, physical therapy, mental imagery, and others.

Answered 5/18/2014

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Dr. Brian Affleck answered

Specializes in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery

TMJ: Tmj is most commonly a condition of overuse of the jaw muscles. Soften diet and stop chewing gum.

Answered 11/25/2013

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Work: Work on reducing stress and you will have less teeth grinding to bother your tmj.

Answered 7/11/2013

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Dr. Tod Haller answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Pain: Pain clinics are good to treat the pain.

Answered 7/8/2013

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Biofeedback,: Biofeedback, mindfulness meditation, massage, yoga & relaxation routine with hot shower before bed.

Answered 10/4/2016

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Dr. Dale Tylor answered

Specializes in ENT - Head & Neck Surgery - Pediatric

One: One of the most common causes of ear pain in patients seen at the ent's office is TMJ pain.

Answered 9/16/2014

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Dr. Laurence Badgley answered

Specializes in General Practice

TMJ: Myth: dental malocclusion always causes tmj. Fact: jaw muscle spam may be a cause.

Answered 10/28/2013

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If: If teeth/jaws misaligned, be proactive. Ask your dentist for referral to an orthodontic specialist.

Answered 8/23/2013

4.9k views

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1/3: 1/3 of all patients in an orthodontist's office are adults.

Answered 8/23/2013

4.9k views

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Dr. Peter Ihle answered

Specializes in Orthopedic Surgery

Soft: Soft food, a straw, mouth piece @ nite, and listen 2 ur TMJ provider.

Answered 6/10/2014

4.9k views

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Do: Do TMJ strengthening exercises use bite splint at night put warm application to tmj.

Answered 11/17/2014

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It's: It's often mistaken for an ear problem per se. Patients are often surprised when told about tmj.

Answered 11/15/2014

4.9k views

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Dr. Harold Peltan answered

Specializes in Ophthalmology

Yoga,: Yoga, meditation, acupuncture, and stress management can help ease symptoms of TMJ syndrome.

Answered 2/10/2015

4.9k views

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Dr. I. Jay Freedman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

TMJ: Tmj that is behavior (grinding or clenching) can be eased thru stress management and meditation.

Answered 3/17/2015

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Chew: Chew with your knife and fork more(smaller bites) to reduce the stress on your jaw joints.

Answered 4/11/2015

4.9k views

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TMJ: Tmj issues, with symptoms, is most common in females of child bearing age.

Answered 6/21/2014

4.9k views

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Dr. Robert Kent answered

Specializes in Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine

There: There is actually an intra-articular disc in your tmjoint that can be a cause of pain when injured.

Answered 4/25/2015

4.9k views

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Dr. Marsha Davis answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Botox: Botox can be an effective treatment for pain relief and muscle relaxation.

Answered 6/24/2014

4.9k views

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Dr. I. Jay Freedman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Surgical: Surgical correction of TMJ should be your last option. Exhaust the other treatment methods first!

Answered 5/8/2016

4.9k views

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Get: Get diagnosed correctly and treated promptly.. It will not get better by itself.

Answered 9/18/2013

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Dr. Scott Bobbitt answered

Specializes in Dentistry

TMJ: Tmj syndrome can be caused by infection in the teeth/gums, poor muscle/nerve relation and trauma.

Answered 5/8/2016

4.9k views

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Dr. Clarence Lyons answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Craniomandibular: Craniomandibular dysfunction is another name for tmj.

Answered 10/18/2013

4.8k views

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Dr. Michael Wexler answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Avoid: Avoid chewing gum or ice. Our jaws weren't meant to be chewing all day long.

Answered 10/5/2013

4.8k views

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Dr. I. Jay Freedman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

A: A myth about TMJ is that orthodontic therapy can't help. In many cases, a poor bite is the cause.

Answered 6/10/2014

4.8k views

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Cut: Cut foods in small pieces to avoid excessive chewing, ergo, less pain.

Answered 10/14/2013

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Heat,soft: Heat, soft diet, avoid biting from a wide open position, anti-inflammatory meds, oral appliance at night.

Answered 10/13/2015

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Cold: Cold and hot compression would help with jaw pain depending on the severity of inflammation.

Answered 12/9/2013

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Ignore: It's a myth that: if i had gotten my wisdom teeth out when i was young i wouldn't have TMJ disorder.

Answered 10/24/2015

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Dr. Michael Wexler answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Ignore: Make the last thing you think about before going to sleep be, "if i grind my teeth i will wake up.".

Answered 11/24/2013

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Ignore: Tmj? Avoid chewy foods like caramels, gummi bears. Steam veggies to soften and maintain nutrition.

Answered 12/25/2013

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Ignore: Tmj syndrome requires ongoing care and treatment to keep you comfortable.

Answered 12/27/2013

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Ignore: Most people don't grind their teeth. Most people clench their teeth.

Answered 6/2/2014

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Ignore: Chiropractice and osteopathic therapy may be helpful in some cases.

Answered 1/4/2014

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Dr. Andrew Killgore answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Ignore: A lot of the time the dentist causes TMJ syndrome. Can be bad ortho or high filling.

Answered 6/10/2014

4.6k views

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Dr. Andrew Killgore answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Ignore: Test a 1$ night-guard from your local pharmacy. Only wear if it provides relief. Call a dentist.

Answered 1/11/2014

4.6k views

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Dr. Robert Kent answered

Specializes in Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine

Ignore: Acupuncture can be of benefit in certain patients with refractory TMJ syndrome.

Answered 6/10/2014

4.5k views

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Dr. Donald Collins answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: TMJ gives pain along the jaw and into the head. It can be mistaken for a heart attack or migraine.

Answered 4/24/2015

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Ignore: Your dentist can help with splints.

Answered 7/28/2014

3.8k views

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Dr. Robert Grieco answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: Bite on something about 1/2" thick with firm pressure for 10 min to release muscle spasm in jaw.

Answered 1/16/2019

3.7k views

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Dr. Richard Zimon answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: By far the most common cause of tmj syndrome is "grinding" of teeth at night!

Answered 11/5/2014

3.6k views

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Dr. William Coutts ii answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: Magnesium supplements will help relax the muscles controlling the joint and help relieve the pain.

Answered 12/3/2014

3.5k views

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Dr. Louis Gallia answered

Specializes in Surgery - Oral & Maxillofacial

Ignore: The most common cause of ear pain not caused by an ear disorder is TMJ disorders.

Answered 3/29/2015

3k views

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Ignore: TMJ syndrome can cause severe head and neck aches.

Answered 4/4/2016

1.4k views

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