Do you have pain or tenderness in your jaw? Perhaps you have difficulty chewing. Or maybe you hear a clicking or popping sound when you open your jaw. You likely have temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).
Your jaw should track and open nice and smooth. It also should come down easily when closing it. You also should be able to do the three-finger test: being able to put three fingers in your mouth without any pain.
Common Causes of TMJ Issues
The causes of TMJ can vary widely. These include
- Misalignment (malocclusion) of the teeth or jaw
- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Poor posture
- Stress or anxiety
- Gum chewing
- A bump to the head
- Dental work that requires the mouth being open for an hour or more
Providing Specific and Gentle Adjustments
With chiropractic, we want to make sure your jaw is in the correct position. We can address the TMJ, the temporal bone and the mandibular bone, and will adjust all the various cranial bones. A tool is used to gently adjust any areas of the skull and put them in the proper position. Here are two approaches we take to adjusting the jaw:
While the jaw is clenched
We would have you clench your jaw, so we adjust to encourage relaxation of the muscles. Then, we would ask you to open your jaw to make sure the tracking is in the right position. We want to ensure you can deviate your jaw from the right side to the left side, so all the muscles and ligaments are feeling good and not causing tension.
Through the roof of the mouth
While you open your mouth, we can adjust from the inside of the jaw too to make sure it’s in the right position. Dr. Saylor was able to help her mother, who had an issue with TMJ. Dr. Saylor adjusted inside her mom’s mouth and on her jaw, and it made a huge difference.
Book an Appointment
If you’ve been seeking relief from your jaw pain, but haven’t had success elsewhere, help is available. Contact our Royal Oak practice today to schedule an appointment!