Understanding TMJ & TMJD
What Is the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)?
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect your lower jaw (mandible) to your skull — one on each side, just in front of your ears. These joints allow your jaw to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back, enabling you to talk, chew, yawn, and express emotion. Each TMJ has a small disc that cushions the joint and keeps movement smooth, like a shock absorber. Because your two joints must work in perfect harmony, the TMJ is one of the most complex joints in the body — and also one of the most delicate.
Did you know?
The TMJ moves thousands of times a day during chewing, speaking, and swallowing.
What Are Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD or TMJD)?
Temporomandibular Disorders refer to pain or dysfunction involving the jaw joint, the muscles that move it, or both.
When these tissues become inflamed or out of balance, it can lead to symptoms such as:
Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking, popping, or locking
Headaches or ear discomfort
Limited opening or stiffness
Neck and shoulder tension
Facial pain or asymmetry
TMD may affect one or both joints and can make daily activities — eating, speaking, or even breathing — uncomfortable.
Important:
TMJD symptoms can overlap with other conditions, such as sinus or ear infections, dental problems, or nerve-related pain. A careful evaluation helps identify the true source
Who Is Affected by TMJD?
TMJD affects about 35 million Americans at any given time.
While both men and women can develop it, women in their childbearing years are most commonly affected. In severe, chronic cases, women outnumber men by nearly 9 to 1.
Researchers believe this difference may be linked to hormonal influences, genetics, and muscle pain sensitivity.
Causes and Contributing Factors
There isn’t one single cause of TMJD — it’s usually a combination of several factors that strain the joint or the muscles around it.
These may include:
Injury or trauma to the jaw or head
Arthritis or joint degeneration
Bruxism (clenching or grinding)
Poor posture or chronic stress
Autoimmune or connective tissue disorders
Hormonal and genetic influences
Prolonged dental procedures or wide mouth opening
Callout:
Habits like gum chewing, nail biting, or sleeping on one side can also stress the jaw over time.
Common TMJD Symptoms
TMJD pain is often described as a dull, aching pain that comes and goes. You might also notice:
Jaw clicking or popping
Facial muscle tightness
Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
Ear pressure or ringing (tinnitus)
A bite that suddenly feels “off”
Headaches or neck pain
Occasional discomfort is normal, but if symptoms last more than a few weeks or interfere with daily activities, it’s time to seek care.
Treatment Options
Most TMJD symptoms improve with conservative care — meaning gentle, reversible treatments.
At-home self-care may include:
Eating soft foods
Applying ice or moist heat
Avoiding wide yawning or gum chewing
Gentle jaw relaxation and posture awareness
Medical or dental treatments may include:
Short-term use of anti-inflammatory or pain medication
Custom oral appliances (bite splints or night guards)
Myofunctional Therapy to correct muscle patterns
Physical therapy for posture and muscle balance
Stress management and breathing exercises
Avoid irreversible procedures like tooth grinding, bite alteration, or surgery unless all conservative options have been explored.
Surgical Options — Rarely Needed
Surgery for TMJ disorders is rarely necessary and remains controversial due to limited long-term research.
Joint replacement or implant surgery should only be considered as a last resort, and always after obtaining independent opinions from multiple specialists.
Living with TMJD
TMJD is often part of a larger pattern of chronic pain conditions (like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or headaches).
Treating the whole person — not just the joint — helps restore lasting comfort.
At Nebraska Myofunctional Specialties, we focus on identifying and retraining the muscle and breathing patterns that contribute to TMJD.
Our goal is to help you move, chew, and breathe with ease — naturally.
Our Approach:
Gentle. Evidence-based. Collaborative. Focused on function and long-term relief.
When to Seek Help
Contact a TMJ-informed provider if you:
Have persistent jaw or facial pain
Notice clicking, popping, or locking
Experience headaches, clenching, or ear fullness
Feel tension in your neck, shoulders, or jaw
Nebraska Myofunctional Specialties
Helping you find balance, comfort, and function — naturally