Place your finger just in front of your ear. Now open and close your mouth. Do you feel the movement of your jaw? This is called the Tempromandubilar Joint, or TMJ. It is believed that over 15 million people suffer from a misalignment of this joint, called TMJ Disorder. During my initial examination, I routinely do a kinesiological examination of the joint and have yet to find one person where the TMJ is "in balance" or aligned. Conditions stemming from this joint may include: headache, eye pain, ear pain, head/neck/shoulder or back aches, popping or clicking noises when opening and closing the mouth, lockjaw and dizziness.
The most common causes of TMJ problems are:
(1) Stress: Stress causes us to grind our
teeth (the expression "grin and bear it" is directly related to this
problem). When we hold our feelings inward, we clench our teeth. Grinding and clenching becomes a habit, and this can cause the teeth to wear or shift, which changes the jaw position, throwing it out of balance.
(2) Trauma: Trauma, such as whiplash, injuries to the head and/or neck, or fractures to the jaw can cause the TMJ to become misaligned. Any severe blow to this region, or even keeping the jaw open for long periods time during of dental treatment, poor posture, carrying heavy things on one side, or wearing high heels can all contribute to TMJ problems.
(3) Dental work: Restorations need to be done so a patient's bite remains unchanged. This can happen if the dentist doesn’t adjust the occlusion or biting surface after dental treatment. If the bite is off, even very slightly, it can lead to long term stress on the TMJ.
(4) Arthritis: Arthritis is characterized by inflammation and pain in the bodily joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain swelling and stiffness around the joint. Osteoarthritis, usually seen in older populations, is caused be a wearing away of the joints. Primary osteoarthritis causes degeneration of a healthy joint. Secondary osteoarthritis can be caused by a previous injury. Teeth grinding and clenching are common causes of osteoarthritis and can lead to TMJ disorder.
(5) Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can also be causative agent . If you feel this may be your problem, try switching from three meals per day to five smaller ones in order to maintain more consistency in sugar levels throughout the day.
(6) Parasites: In children, parasites can also be a cause of clenching teeth, leading to TMJ problems. If you see your child clenching or grinding their teeth, ask your dentist to check for parasites first.
Natural Remedies for TMJ
While there is no total cure for TMJ, there are many natural remedies that can be utilized. Aside from seeing your dentist, I recommend working with a chiropractor and a nutritionist. A physical therapist, biofeedback therapist, osteopath and an ENT physician may need to be consulted. The most common form of therapy is usually a bite plate or night guard. This is worn usually at night and is useful for patients who clench or grind their teeth. This allows them to close the mouth in its most comfortable position. Essentially, this device helps reposition the joint. As symptoms decrease, the bite plate can be used less and less. Options include always wearing the night guard or correcting the malocclusion by adjusting the bite. This can include new fillings and/or crowns. Osteopathic physicians can adjust cranial and facial bones, while chiropractors can move the muscles and the joint back into their natural position.
If you are nutritionally deficient, such as with low blood sugar, the following can be helpful in combination:
Supplements
– Magnesium 750 mg
– Calcium 1500 mg
– Vitamin B complex 200 mg
– Vitamin C 2000 mg
– Coenzyme Q10 200mg
– Omega fatty acids
Herbal Medicine
Calming herbs, such as valerian flower, chamomile, passion flower and skullcap, can help with relaxation and therefore reduce the tendency to clench the jaw.
Homeopathic Remedies
Aconite 30x (take 1 tab 3x a day): good for anxiety
Hepar sulphuris 30x (take 1 tab 3x/day): helps reduce pain upon opening and closing the mouth
Manual Manipulation
Some dental offices do perform kinesiological adjusting of the TMJ. Check with your holistic dentist.
Other Recommendations
Hot (moist) or cold towels on the affected area can be helpful. Try both, and use what works best for you.
Massage your face neck and shoulders to relax the muscles.
In terms of diet, steamed vegetables, fruit, juice and lots of water are best. Avoid any food that would be hard to chew. Stay away from caffeine and sugar, as both increase muscle tension, causing increased pain.
Source: Dr. Victor Zeines (DDS, MS, FAGD), www.natdent.com, www.periohealthplus.com, www.vitalboost.com
