If your child has pain in the jaw or muscles on the side of the face, a clicking or popping sound with opening or closing the mouth or restricted jaw movement, they may have TMD. TMD stands for temporomandibular disorder, a group of conditions that affect the joints and muscles that control chewing, swallowing and speech. TMD can be caused by an injury to the jaw joint or by a problem with the cartilage that lines the jaw joint. It also can be triggered by teeth grinding (bruxism), heavy chewing, wearing down or missing teeth, poor posture, or stress.Read more:baybreezedentistry.com

The temporomandibular joints are hinge-like joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull on each side. They can move up and down, shift left and right, and forward and backward. This full range of motion is essential for chewing and speaking.

How TMD Affects Your Daily Life and What You Can Do About It

The symptoms of TMD include jaw pain or tenderness, limited jaw movement, a clicking or popping sound with opening and closing the mouth, headaches, neck pain, ringing in the ears, and tight muscles in the head, shoulders, and neck. Sometimes, the symptoms occur together, making it difficult to concentrate or do daily activities.

In most cases, TMD responds to conservative remedies that we can recommend for your child to try at home. We will encourage you to try these first, before considering more invasive treatment options, such as surgery. If your child has a severe case of TMD, we may refer them to a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery or dentistry or otolaryngology (ears, nose and throat) for further care.