Causes of Jaw Pain
While up to a quarter of all adults in Australia live with some form of jaw pain, treatment and the causes of the pain are often overlooked. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) acts as a hinge and connects the jaw (mandible) to the skull. It is one of the most used joints in the body, which is why TMJ disorders and jaw pain are quite common. Keep reading to find out about some of the most common causes of jaw pain and what you can do to find relief. Common Causes of TMJ Dysfunction TMJ dysfunction contributes to jaw pain, joint stiffness, difficulty chewing and clicking and locking of the jaw joint. Common causes of a TMJ disorder orTMJ dysfunction: Arthritis including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis Joint erosion The joint is damaged or is misaligned Existing injury or trauma including a broken or dislocated jaw Myofascial pain Tight muscles Grinding or clenching of the teeth Structural jaw problems present at birth Occlusal problems such as an overbite or o