Temporomandibular (TMD) – A Rising Disorder Among Teens

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common term used to describe a number of symptoms, most particularly among teenagers, related to masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related areas. Among teens, the most viable symptoms of the disorder include:

• TMJ sounds
• Difficulty in mandibular movements
• Muscle weakness
• Headaches
• Bruxism
• narrow mouth opening
• Jaw and Facial pain

Of all the above mentioned symptoms of TMD among teenagers, muscle weakness and joint sounds were the most widespread. There are a number of varied factors associated with TMD origination, but the exact causes of the disease are still to be configured by the dentists. However, visiting a good pain management center can be helpful to relieve the pain from its associated symptoms.

TMD is not an individual condition, but is actually the result of a cluster of diseases with different causes. To know the causes of the disease explicitly, genders are also taken into account which shows that TMD is more prevalent in women than in men. Also, women are more likely to seek chronic pain treatment for this disease because TMD is a complicated chronic condition.

Treatment for TMD implies one or more of the following treatment methods:

• Use of anti-inflammatory pain medications like Aspirin, Motrin and Advil.
• Muscle relaxants to relieve muscle stiffness
• Steroid injection to diminish inflammation, swelling and redness
• Diet control and weight reduction to lower the joint pressure.
• Heat and ice application to the affected joints
• Occlusal splint or Orthotic appliance to relocate the joint to its original structure.
• Orthodontic treatment to correct teeth positioning
• Physical therapy and stretching exercises to correct body posture.
• Various surgeries to repair and fix the joint damages.

Symptoms of TMD become visible among children during the ages 12 and 18. If your child is suffering from the warning signs of TMD, seek instant medical treatment.