The TMJ or temporomandibular (tem-puh-roe-man-DIB-u-lur) joint connects the jawbone to the skull. TMJ pain is mostly triggered in the joint maneuvered by tensioned jaw muscles that control the jaw movement.

The exact cause or disorder is often hard to determine. It can start from teeth clenching or grinding (also known as bruxism), gum chewing, nail biting; stress including painful conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis or jaw injury.

Commonly, the pain and discomfort related to TMJ disorders lasts for only a limited time. Preventative maintenance like mouth guard and self-managed home care physical therapy (facial and jaw exercises) can be effective in treating the symptoms. Surgical treatments may help some people with TMJ disorders yet should be the last resort after conservative measures have failed

TMJ disorders can cause some jaw clicking sound or grating sensation during chewing or simply opening the mouth wider like yawning. Clicking sounds can be annoying but if there's no pain or movement limitation related to your jaw clicking, it's likely that you won't need treatment.

Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw.
• Pain in one or both temporomandibular joints.
• Aching pain in and around the ear.
• Having a hard time chewing or pain while chewing.
• Aching facial pain.
• Locking of the joint, making it hard to open or close your mouth.
• Headache.
• Neck pain.
• Eye pain.
• Tooth pain that occurs along with jaw tenderness.

Causes

The temporomandibular joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that work together in the joint are covered with cartilage and separated by a small shock-absorbing disk. This disk usually keeps the movement smooth.

Painful TMJ disorders can happen if:

• Arthritis damages the joint's cartilage.
• Direct force, blow or another impact damages the joint.
• Jaw muscles are triggered with spasms.
• Ligaments or soft tissue sprain or strain which occurs with TMJ disorders.
• Eroding disc or moves out of its proper alignment between the ball and socket of the joint.

Risk factors

Factors that may raise the risk of getting TMJ disorders include:

• Stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression.
• Fibromyalgia, Ankylosing Spondylitis and sleep disturbances.
• Gum chewing, nail biting, and grinding or clenching of teeth.
• Progressing water dehydration including alcohol
• All types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
• Jaw injury or smoking