I have swelling along my jawline and chin. Could it be my TMJ?
What is TMJ Dysfunction?
The temporomandibular joint (TM Joint or TMJ) is where your lower jaw meets your skull and is located in front of your ear on each side of your head. Its movement allows the jaw to move up and down, side to side and forward and back.
TMJ dysfunction, aka temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD or TMD), is when there is irritation and/or pain of the joint or more commonly the muscles that move the joint.
What are the symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction?
With newer injury cases, the swelling occurs primarily near the temporomandibular joint and jaw but can spread into the chin, temple area and the under chin, leading to facial swelling. Older and more chronic cases cause atrophy of the muscles of the temple and jaw, leading to premature facial aging and the patient may not have pain but they do have TMD.
There are a broad range of symptoms associated with TMD. These include:
Swelling around the TMJ including along the jawline - the most common we see at Löschn
A clicking sound or feeling with jaw movement
Pain or tenderness of your jaw or in one or both the temporomandibular joints
Aching pain in or around your ear
Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
Aching facial pain
Locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
For many of us, we may have experienced an uncomfortable popping or clicking sensation in our jaw – but no pain or restriction while moving the joint. Although it's a less than enjoyable feeling, this isn't usually something to worry about: more often than not, it’s caused by grinding teeth at night, poor posture and sustained clenching of the jaw muscles. However if you'd like peace-of-mind that everything is okay with your temporomandibular joint then feel free to contact Löschn for an assessment!
What are the causes of TMD?
The temporomandibular joint is a synovial joint with a disk inside of it that absorbs shock and helps keep movement smooth throughout its range of motion. This joint takes on a lot of force from several directions. Things that can challenge how well the joint and the surrounding muscles work include:
Posture such as looking down for prolonged periods or slouching
Stress
Post op wisdom tooth extraction
Dental work
Erosion of the disk erodes or if it moves out of its proper alignment
Arthritis
Trauma such as a blow (acute trauma) or repetitive loading (chronic)
Grinding or clenching
How is TMD Diagnosed?
With mild symptoms like pain and swelling, it's best to start with a conservative healthcare provider like a chiropractor or physiotherapist. They will examine your jaw and surrounding musculature to confirm the diagnosis of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In most cases the TMD is mild or moderate and conservative treatment can be effective in relieving the pain and swelling. If the condition is severe, you will be referred to your dentist or a temporomandibular joint specialist for imaging and treatment.
If you have severe pain and/or swelling, locking of the joint or nerve pain such as numbness or tingling you should see your dentist immediately.
How can we help YOU?
At Löschn, we use a combination of Active Release and Graston Technique to resolve mild to moderate TMD.
You will be instructed in appropriate home care which may include applying cold or heat to the area, doing exercises or stretches, eating soft foods and avoiding activities like chewing too hard, clenching your jaw and slouching. You may be encouraged to see your dentist for a night guard.
If you have swelling without pain, you can still have temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Just call us at 403-686-7242 to book a consult to get rid of your swelling and confirm the cause.
We provide a natural, fast and non-invasive treatment to reduce pain, increase mobility and/or improve appearance through advanced lymphatic drainage and soft tissue treatment.
