The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), also known as the jaw joint, is used in daily life with key roles in eating and speaking by opening, closing, and moving the mouth and jaw side to side. Temporomandibular disorders or TMD’s, are an umbrella term for conditions that involve pain affecting the TMJ, the muscles around the jaw, or the muscle innervations of the head and neck.

Common symptoms of jaw disorders include pain around the jaw, headaches, difficulty opening the mouth, clicking of the jaw joint, excessive jaw clenching, and muscle tenderness. This can cause problems with communication, dietary health, and mental health. The masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid muscles are muscles that close the jaw, and the lateral pterygoid muscles is an abductor muscle that opens the jaw. These muscles can become tight and sore with TMJ disorders.

Bruxism is a common TMD that is characterized by involuntary tooth grinding, most frequently during sleep but occurring while awake as well. Although occasional bruxism can be considered relatively normal, such as in times of stress, it is harmful when it occurs on a regular basis as it can damage the joint structure of the jaw. Bruxism can be cased by high stress and anxiety, jaw muscle tightness, abnormal tooth position, and poor quality of sleep.

At Revitamax, our team of chiropractors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists are well trained to identify the cause of your jaw pain and manage it in the most effective and evidence-based manner. We can help ensure optimal TMJ health and provide multiple forms of treatment. Call us at 416 360 8326 to book an appointment at our Rexdale/Etobicoke location (680 Rexdale Blvd, Unit 11).