“If your jaw cramps, does it mean you have TMJ?”
I heard that TMJ makes you not be able to open your mouth. Sometimes my jaw cramps up and it doesn't work right and feels funny for a couple days after that. Do I have TMJ?
6 Answers
Before elaborating on this question, it should be made clear that TMJ is not a disorder, but one of the body’s joint like a knee or an elbow joint. TMJ is the joint hinging lower jaw (mandible) to the skull bone. Therefore, any dysfunction of the TMJ, like movement limitation, should be called a TMJ disorder or TMD.
If one poses this question to a TMJ specialist, like Dr. Salek of A-Z Dental Care in West Covina, the answer would be yes, jaw cramps in one of the signs and symptoms of TMD. Other diagnostic symptoms of TMD include: pain, noise, deviation of jaw during opening and closing of mouth, and jaw locking. All of these symptoms should be taken seriously and the patient should be evaluated by a dentist or by a TMJ specialist, in complicated cases.
If one poses this question to a TMJ specialist, like Dr. Salek of A-Z Dental Care in West Covina, the answer would be yes, jaw cramps in one of the signs and symptoms of TMD. Other diagnostic symptoms of TMD include: pain, noise, deviation of jaw during opening and closing of mouth, and jaw locking. All of these symptoms should be taken seriously and the patient should be evaluated by a dentist or by a TMJ specialist, in complicated cases.
Potentially. Depends where the cramping occurs on the jaw, how often it happens, and what sets it off. Does it feel muscular? Or in the joint itself (right in front of the ear)? Muscle cramps can be related to low magnesium and trying a supplement may help stop the cramping. Best to take it for at least a week before seeing if it's working.
Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA
Gregori M. Kurtzman, DDS, MAGD, FPFA, FACD, FADI, DICOI, DADIA, DIDIA
No
Not necessarily. Anyone can get a muscle cramp. That does not imply TMJ. If it is a chronic situation, then it can be. A visit to your dentist for evaluation wold be recommended.
Regards,
Dr. Steven Manson
Regards,
Dr. Steven Manson
It is possible, but you should exclude wisdom teeth also.
You may be clenching at night, which could cause the muscles to tighten or cramp up. If it is not a on going problem it may just pass. TMJ refers to the joint, it is whether or not you have a dysfunction. You would need further diagnosis.
