Mostly everyone has pain or tightness in your jaw from time to time. Usually these symptoms go away within a few days and are not cause for alarm.
But sometimes the pain can linger and get worse - always so intense that chewing, smiling, and even breathing is difficult. When children symptoms like these occur, they are likely to develop a TMJ disorder who require treatment.
About TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders are medical problems related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. You can make your jaw joints and their movement by feel to open your fingers in front of the ears and mouth. What do you feel are the rounded ends of the lower jaw, as along the joint socket of the temporal bone, which is the part of the skull to the inner ear and the temple has to slide.
TMJ disorders (also called temporomandibular joint disorders, or TMJ) can cause pain in the head, neck, jaw or face problems chewing or biting; popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing the mouth, and occasionally open a jaw that can be locked or locked .
TMJ disorders can children of any age, but occur more frequently in adolescents, especially girls.
Causes
It is often not clear what causes TMJ disorders, but many things can be in order to afford them.
Jaw clenching or teeth grinding can be a TMJ disorder more likely. When the joint is overloaded, a disc can wear down or slip out of the joint. Grinding and clenching can also be the alignment of the bite (the way that the upper and lower teeth line up) and can affect muscles used for chewing. Sometimes people are not even aware that they. Clenching or grinding and perhaps make it even while sleeping
Stress can TMJ symptoms by children tend to grind their teeth, clench their jaws or pulling affect their jaw muscles.
TMJ disorders also more common in those with other dental problems (like in a bad bite), joint problems (such as arthritis), muscle problems, or a history of injury to the jaw or face.
Signs and symptoms
Many symptoms may indicate a problem with the temporomandibular joint. Some of the most common are:
Pain in the facial muscles, jaw joints, or around the ear, and sometimes in the neck and shoulders. Some people have pain when chewing or yawning speak, a few may notice muscle cramps.
Pops, clicks or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth (some children but not hear these noises about other symptoms and may not require treatment)
Difficulty chewing or biting
Headaches, dizziness, ear pain, hearing loss and ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Collet mechanism (the jaw could lock wide open or lock shut)
When to see a dentist
If your child symptoms of a disorder of the jaw joint, let your dentist know. The earlier a TMJ disorder is diagnosed and treated, the better.
The dentist will ask questions, examine your child, and perhaps imaging tests (such as X-rays, a CT scan or an MRI) to confirm a disorder of the temporomandibular joint.
If your child is locked his jaw locked open or closed, you will see an oral surgeon or go to the emergency room.
Treatment
For some children with disorders of the temporomandibular joint, the treatment can be as simple as the jaw resting for a few days.
Offer your child soft foods and make sure that he or she avoids habits, the TMJ or the muscles of the face can worsen (extra wide like chewing gum, pressing or grinding of the teeth or opening the mouth when yawning). Help to apply ice packs or heat to the side of the face to your child feel more comfortable.
Depending on the specific diagnosis of a malfunction of the temporomandibular joint, a further treatment is required. A child whose jaw is locked, you must manipulate the jaw until they are opened or closed. Sometimes, this is carried out under sedation.
If the pain is caused by compression of the jaw or grinding of the teeth, the dentist can your child with a splint or bite plate fit into the night contribute to reducing clenching and grinding. Medications can also prescribed to relieve pain or relax muscles.
And if the dentist determines that a problem with your child helps the bite to the jaw joint disorder, he or she may recommend braces or other dental work to correct it.
Occasionally, if the symptoms do not respond to other treatments, a child may need surgery to repair damaged tissue in the joint. But most children do not need surgery for disorders of the temporomandibular joint.
Prevention
Many children develop TMJ disorders or joint pain due to repeated unconscious teeth grinding or clenching of the jaw. You can help control a child these habits by. Him or her aware of the activity
Teach children these behaviors when they (for example, in a test at school, when angry or upset, etc.) notice so that they can be stopped consciously happen. If the behavior is a result of stress, have your child plenty of exercise to release nervous energy. Breathing exercises can also help relax children.
. Ask your dentist for more tips to avoid the symptoms of disorders of the temporomandibular joint