Jaw fatigue, ear pain: Is it a temporomandibular disorder?

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Jaw pain or ear pain is a common symptom that many people experience. There are many causes of this condition, so to accurately determine if it is a disease or not, it is necessary to do a general assessment, find the cause, and then find the right treatment. Many people wonder symptoms of jaw fatigue, ear pain: Is it a temporomandibular disorder? Follow the article below to find the answer.

1. What is temporomandibular disorder?

Temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition in which the temporomandibular joint does not function properly. The temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone with the skull, helping to bring the lower jaw forward, backward and working side to side. When the muscles, discs, ligaments or bone structures in the jaw function incorrectly, it is called a temporomandibular disorder.
There are many causes of TMJ disorders such as: The mismatch of the two teeth is not good, due to tooth loss, the teeth are misaligned, causing a disturbance in the joints of the teeth, trauma in the jaw. temporomandibular joint, due to teeth grinding, stress,...

2. Symptoms of temporomandibular disorders

Temporomandibular disorders have many different symptoms. The following common symptoms will appear:
Feeling like the jaw is protruding when eating, stiffness, joints not in the correct position when closing the mouth, or sudden changes in mouth movements. Appears "clack" clearly heard when chewing food, or yawning. Sometimes it feels like the jaw is "stagnant" for a moment

3. Jaw fatigue, ear pain: Is it a temporomandibular disorder?

The answer is yes. In addition to the "problematic" function mentioned above, when there is a TMJ disorder, there are symptoms that make it difficult for the patient such as:
Pain and fatigue in the jaw, especially when yawning, opening the mouth wide or chewing pain in the jaw muscles spread to the ear pain Not only ear pain, the pain also causes headache (or migraine), eye pain, glaucoma.

4. Prevention and treatment of temporomandibular disorders

In mild cases of temporomandibular disorder, it may improve on its own without the need for treatment.
If jaw fatigue and ear pain persist, the doctor may prescribe pain relievers or help protect the bite to avoid grinding teeth at night.
To prevent temporomandibular joint disorders, should pay attention to daily habits:
Clean teeth to prevent periodontal disease, tooth decay, gingivitis,... Quit the habit of clenching teeth or grinding teeth Reduce pressure on jaw muscles: Eat soft foods, cut food into small pieces. should not eat foods that are tough and flexible like gum, hard things like rocks or cartilage, ... because when eating these foods will need to use a lot of force in the teeth and muscles of the mouth, thereby creating The pressure will cause fatigue of the maxillofacial muscles. Avoid chewing food only on one side, instead should chew the jaw muscles on both sides If you have a habit of grinding your teeth while sleeping, see your doctor for advice and treatment. Practice stretching and massaging the jaw. See your dentist or physiotherapist for instructions on stretching exercises and how to self-massage the jaw muscles at home. If prolonged jaw muscle fatigue is bothersome, apply heat or ice to the painful jaw area to help relieve the pain. Apply heat to the tired jaw area. The hot temperature will help relax muscles, thereby reducing pain and stiffness effectively. Apply cold if the jaw muscle fatigue is accompanied by swelling and inflammation. Should not open the mouth too large and long, should maintain the lower jaw in a resting position, relax the muscles, keep the spirit at ease, avoid stress, build a healthy lifestyle, ... If the condition of jaw fatigue, ear pain, persistent should go to the nearest medical facility for timely examination and treatment. Based on the symptoms and examination process, the doctor will find the cause and have the most appropriate treatment.
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