What is temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)?

Your jaw is probably not something you think about much until it starts to hurt.

If you have pain when chewing, trouble opening your mouth, or clicking or popping sounds when you move your jaw, you may have temporomandibular joint dysfunction. This is often shortened to TMJ dysfunction or TMD.

Your temporomandibular joints are found on each side of your face, and connect your lower jaw to your skull. They help you open and close your mouth so you can eat, speak, swallow and make facial expressions. TMJ dysfunction happens when there's a problem with the joint, the muscles around it, or both.

TMJ dysfunction can affect adults of any age, but it is most often reported in adults aged 20 to 40. Women are at least 4 times more likely to experience it.¹

TMJ dysfunction can affect one or both joints and surrounding muscles. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may come and go.

Common symptoms include:

• jaw pain, stiffness, clicking or popping sounds when you chew
• facial pain
• headaches or throbbing temples
• ear symptoms, such as earache, tinnitus and ear pressure
• tooth pain
• neck and shoulder pain
• difficulty chewing
• jaw lock.

TMJ dysfunction can have many causes, and sometimes there's no clear cause. It may be linked to bruxism, which is the clenching or grinding of your teeth. Other possible causes include:

• changes to your bite, dental appliances or dental issues
• injury to your teeth, head or neck
• wear and tear from osteoarthritis r
• arely, tumours or other growths in the jaw area
• stress, anxiety or other psychological factors
• problems with the nerves that transmit pain.

In some people, the cause is never found.

Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is common. Many people grind or clench their teeth from time to time, but a smaller number do it regularly enough to cause symptoms or dental problems.^2,3

Common triggers and risk factors for bruxism include:

• stress and anxiety
• smoking
• caffeine consumption
• alcohol and other drug use
• certain medications
• snoring.

If you grind your teeth while sleeping, you might not realise you’re doing it. A partner may hear the sound, or you may find yourself waking up with unexplained soreness in your jaw.

As well as contributing to TMJ dysfunction, ongoing teeth grinding can damage teeth, disturb sleep and cause facial pain.⁴

If jaw pain is bothering you, see your GP or dentist. They can examine your jaw and teeth and may refer you for imaging, such as an X-ray, CT scan or MRI, if needed.

In many cases, TMJ dysfunction improves with simple measures you can try at home. Your GP or dentist may suggest:

Pain relief. Pain-relief medicines or anti-inflammatory medicines may help some people. A warm compress on the painful area may also ease soreness.

Mind and body techniques. Approaches such as biofeedback may help some people manage muscle tension and involuntary body responses.⁵

Support for stress or anxiety. If stress, anxiety or other emotional factors are contributing to jaw clenching, psychological support or therapy may help.

Jaw exercises. Gentle stretching or jaw exercises may help improve movement, although they may not reduce pain for everyone.¹

Teeth-grinding strategies. These may include a dentist-fitted mouthguard or splint at night, cognitive behavioural therapy, exercise and relaxation techniques.

Lifestyle changes. This may include eating softer foods, cutting food into small pieces and avoiding habits that strain the jaw, such as chewing gum.

Specialist treatment. Surgery or other specialist procedures are usually only considered when symptoms are severe, persistent and have not improved with conservative treatment.