Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, is estimated to affect about 35 million people in the United States. And while virtually anyone can develop this painful condition, statistics show that it occurs in women about five times more frequently than it does in men. If you’re a woman, it’s essential to be aware of the reasons why you might be at risk for a TMJ disorder as well as your options for finding relief.
What Exactly is a TMJ Disorder?
The term “TMJ disorder” can refer to any dysfunction of the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) that connect the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. The condition often results in jaw pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, earaches, locking of the jaw, and other symptoms.
Why Do Women Develop TMJ Disorder More Frequently Than Men?
There are multiple possible explanations for why women seem to be more prone to developing TMJ disorders:
- Stress: Women tend to report higher levels of stress compared to men. Stress can lead to clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth, both of which can contribute to TMJ disorders by putting excessive pressure on the jaw joints.
- Bone Structure: Women’s jawbones aren’t as long, wide, or thick as men’s jawbones. This, combined with other anatomical factors, contributes to a less stable environment for the TMJs, thereby increasing the risk of developing a TMJ disorder.
- Hormones: Fluctuating estrogen levels can make pain seem more pronounced, which can result in more severe TMJ disorder symptoms.
How Can TMJ Disorder in Women Be Treated?
There are several treatment options that can help women with TMJ disorder find relief:
- Treatment with a TENS Machine: A TENS machine can send gentle electric currents into the muscles around the TMJs, which can go a long way toward reducing discomfort and inflammation.
- Occlusal Splint: An occlusal splint can be used to slightly reposition the jaw, thus giving the muscles around the TMJs a chance to rest and recover.
- Occlusal Adjustment: Teeth that don’t come together correctly are often a major contributor to TMJ problems. An occlusal adjustment involves removing small amounts of enamel from your teeth so that they come together as they should.
- BOTOX: BOTOX injections can help the muscles in your jaw relax. This can temporarily relieve your TMJ-related pain while the underlying cause of the problem is being treated through other means.
Regardless of whether you’re a man or a woman, it’s always best to have your TMJ disorder diagnosed and treated as quickly as you can. The sooner you act, the sooner you can put a stop to your chronic jaw pain and start enjoying life to the fullest again!
About the Practice
At Exceptional Dentistry Pain & Sleep Solutions, our team provides fully personalized treatments for sleep apnea and TMJ disorder. We can help patients who are struggling with jaw pain with customized occlusal splints, TENS machine treatments, occlusal adjustments, and BOTOX. If you think that you might be suffering from a TMJ disorder, you can schedule an appointment at our office in Silver Spring by visiting our website or calling (301) 460-3331.