Have you ever heard of the temporomandibular joint? Most of you probably have not, because unfortunately we only learn about it when it causes us problems.
The temporomandibular joint is a connection of the temporal bone with the lower jaw and is located in the area of the ear and allows the following movement:
- closing and opening the mouth
- extending and retracting the mandible
- sideways movements
Symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders may be local, e.g. pain in the ear area, jaw tightness, inability to open mouth, jumping or clicking in the joint while eating, etc.
Disorders in the jaw can cause symptoms in other parts of the body, e.g. headache, cervical spine ache, shoulder ache, or toothache.
Temporomandibular joint problems often start in the mouth. Incorrect bite or dental treatment have a huge impact on joint mechanics.
That is why cooperation between a dentist and a physiotherapist is very important! This collaboration helps to find and cure the cause of the problem, which will sometimes result from dental treatment and sometimes from disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
