Jaw Joint and Teeth Clenching (Temporomandibular) joint, also known as jaw joint; It is called the common region, which includes the chewing muscles, jaw joint and all structures associated with this region. The temporal bone is connected to the mandible (lower jaw, mobile, part).
We use it an average of 2000 times a day while eating, talking, breathing and sucking. On average, 34% of people suffer from jaw pain or problems at least once in their lives.
Jaw joint irregularity or dysfunction (temporomandibular dysfunction, TMD) is the general name for disorders that occur due to irregularity or disharmony in these structures.
While the average mouth opening is 4.5 cm in normal individuals, this value remains below 3.5 cm in patients with TMD problems. In the form of average measurement, the individual should comfortably enter his mouth with 3 fingers upright.
Since it interacts with various muscle groups around the jaw joint, it is anatomically and functionally suitable for the tongue area, neck area, throat area, back area and head. It has close relations with the region. Although pain and problems in these areas affect the jaw joint, problems in the jaw joint can also affect these areas.
Teeth clenching (Pressen, Clenching): It is the problem of bringing the teeth into contact with each other on both sides of the mouth during the day, which the individual is aware of. . It is closely related to stress. There is an increase in stressful situations. It is seen at a higher rate in men than in women. Although plaque is recommended by dentists for these individuals. Physiotherapy and manual therapy are applied to these individuals to increase awareness and relax the muscles.
Bruxism (teeth grinding): It occurs after involuntary muscle activities similar to teeth clenching and rhythmic chewing movements. It is manifested by the filing and flattening of the back molars of these individuals, white lines in the mouth due to biting the gums, and tongue clenching movements. These individuals feel fatigue and tension in the cheeks, especially when they wake up in the morning. In fact, in many individuals, people next to them hear these sounds and can wake up from these sounds. During the day, they unknowingly try to relax by holding a tea cup or coffee cup to their cheek.
Causes: It can cause problems such as psychological problems, stress, previous trauma, jaw surgeries, dental problems, nail biting and cheek biting.
Problems caused: Headache, migraine, neck pain. It can lead to jaw fatigue, feeling of heaviness and pain in the shoulders, and limitation of neck movement.
It can also cause disorders such as dizziness, tinnitus, and fibromyalgia.
Disorders occurring in the jaw joint. They usually manifest themselves in 3 ways.
1- Pain and tenderness of the chewing muscles: Muscle balance is disrupted, usually due to teeth clenching or irregularity in the joint, so fatigue and pain occur in the muscles.
2- Joint pain: irregular jaw joint Opening and closing as a result both damages the disc between the joint and disrupts the structure of the joint. If this problem persists for a long time, it manifests itself as pain in the joint.
3- Crepitation sound coming from the joint: A cracking sound may be heard due to the decrease in the lubricity of the disc, the destruction of the joint, or the disc shifting and moving out of its socket.
***When any of these problems occur, you should first consult your dentist.
The Importance of Physiotherapy or Exercise in the Jaw Joint:
Since the jaw joint is surrounded by many muscle groups and is in close relationship with the neck area, A disorder in the muscles or neck can be directly reflected as pain in the jaw joint and disrupt the balance of that area. By relaxing the muscles around the jaw that are contracted to protect the area with physiotherapy or exercises, it can also be strengthened and re-established by strengthening the muscles that have lost or reduced their ability to move. It allows us to create muscular balance around the jaw joint.
In addition, since the nerves going to the jaw joint and surrounding muscles come from the neck region, we should not ignore this area. With manual therapy and exercises applied to the neck area, as well as exercise methods applied to the muscles around the joint, we can regulate the blood flow to the jaw joint and ensure that the joint moves correctly and without pain.
Who is it? Can It Be Applied by?
It is especially applied by Temporomandibular joint therapists who are trained in this field and have an internationally valid certificate. Although these methods are applied by very few people in Turkey, they have gradually begun to be implemented in our country. It can often be applied by Temporomandibular joint therapists, physiotherapists and manual therapists who work with dentists in Europe.
*Before deciding on physiotherapy, exercise or manual therapy applications in the jaw joint, your dentist should check any underlying conditions of your jaw joint disorder. A consensus must be reached that there is no other problem. In addition, a diagnosis of jaw joint problem (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) must be made.
Evaluation of the Jaw Joint in Terms of Exercise and Manual Therapy
Facial asymmetries, pain points, hard points, popping sounds are evaluated by the temporomandibular joint therapist. The applications to be made are decided after the mouth movement amounts are measured in detail.
Duration and frequency of application in jaw joint problems
It is generally applied for a maximum of 4 sessions, but each session lasts approximately 1 hour. In this method, relaxation, a change in the amount of movement and a decrease in pain are expected after each application.
Home exercises
One of the most important parts of this application is the exercises you will do yourself at home. After the necessary muscles are relaxed by the temporomandibular joint therapist and the joint movements begin to be provided correctly, home exercises should be done to ensure the necessary head, neck, teeth and tongue positions are fully established and prohibited movements should be avoided. For example: long-term chewing of gum, It is necessary to avoid pencil biting habits and movements that keep the neck forward. Hard objects should not be eaten during the application. The movements must be performed in a pain-free position.
Some examples of exercises to be done at home after the applications:
-Pucker your lips
-Try to look at your right shoulder and left shoulder by stretching the back of your head.
-Whistle. ring
-Lift your nose
-Put your tongue on the tongue at the back Try to make it touch your work.
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