What Are TMJ Disorders?

This informational guide, part of POPSUGAR's Condition Center, lays out the realities of this health concern: what it is, what it can look like, and strategies that medical experts say are proven to help. You should always consult your doctor regarding matters pertaining to your health and before starting any course of medical treatment.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a common source of jaw pain that impact up to 12 million people in the US each year, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). TMJ disorders are twice as common in women than men and can be incredibly painful, the NIDCR reports.

"It's a complex issue," says Marci H. Levine, DMD, MD, clinical associate professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the NYU College of Dentistry. "A lot of patients tend to complain of jaw pain, and it can get worse throughout the day."

TMJ disorders can be tricky to treat, and it may even be difficult for patients to know what caused their pain in the first place. With that, it's important to be aware of the signs of the condition, plus how to get help if you happen to experience it.

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the side of your head. "The jaw is a hinge and works via a ball and socket mechanism," says Julie Cho, DMD, a general dentist in New York City. The TMJ allows you to talk, chew, and yawn, among other things, Levine says.

TMJ disorders, also known as temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), is a broad term used to describe more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement, according to the NIDCR.

"TMJ disorders may involve pain or dysfunction involving the temporomandibular joints, the muscles involved with chewing, the tendons and ligaments associated with the jaw, and pain and dysfunction associated with the upper neck region," says Sherwin Arman, DMD, MPH, director of the Orofacial Pain Program at the UCLA School of Dentistry.

According to the NIDCR, symptoms of TMJ disorders may include:

"Regular headaches may also be caused by TMJ disorder or accompanied by any of these other symptoms," Dr. Cho says.

There are a lot of potential causes of TMJ disorders. "Typical causes are overuse of the jaw, such as clenching or grinding the teeth together throughout the day or nighttime, gum chewing, or biting one's nails and, in some instances, traumatic injury," Dr. Arman says.

Arthritis and genetics may play a role, too, Dr. Cho says. But in many cases, the exact reason someone develops a TMJ disorder isn't clear, and people can start having symptoms without an obvious reason, per the NIDCR.

There's no standard test for TMJ disorders, which can make them "challenging" for doctors to diagnose, Levine says. Once a diagnosis is made, though, there are several treatment options or lifestyle changes your doctor may suggest to improve your pain. Per the NIDCR, those can include:

There are also surgical options, but Dr. Cho says they're generally viewed as "the last resort" when other treatment methods have failed.

Important to note: TMJ disorders may not go away for everyone. "Temporomandibular disorders typically remain stable or improve in the majority of patients over time," Dr. Arman says. But these disorders are "often a chronic condition," Levine says, and patients will need constant management over time.

If you suspect you may be dealing with a TMJ disorder, Levine says it's best to talk to your dentist for a proper diagnosis, as well as next steps.