Roughly 10 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with TMJ disorder (TMD), while a whopping 1 in 4 adults has been diagnosed with arthritis. Both of these conditions can cause persistent pain and adversely affect a person’s quality of life — but is there any real connection between them? In many cases, yes. This blog post discusses what you should know.
What Is TMD?
TMD, which is often called TMJ disorder, TMJ dysfunction, or simply TMJ, is a condition that afflicts the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is located just in front of your ears. It may be the result of injury, overuse, strain, or other factors. It is associated with dozens of different symptoms, including jaw pain, difficulty eating, headaches, neck aches, and more.
What Types of Arthritis Are Associated with TMD?
“Arthritis” is an umbrella term that can refer to a number of different conditions that afflict joints within the body, including the jaw joint. Research has found a link between numerous types of arthritis and TMJ disorder:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes joint degeneration. It is particularly common among older individuals. As the condition progresses, it may affect the TMJ and lead to dysfunction of the jaw. Many people with osteoarthritis in the jaw experience persistent pain, the sensation of lockjaw, difficulty chewing, and other TMD symptoms.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
RA is an autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation in the joints. A study from 2007 found that 93% of participants had either TMD symptoms or destruction of the jawbone. Often, the severity of the person’s TMD was correlated with the severity of their RA.
Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
PsA is an inflammatory condition of the joints that sometimes affects individuals who have psoriasis in their skin. Individuals with PsA are at an increased risk of numerous TMD symptoms, including teeth grinding and clenching, jaw noises, and difficulty opening the jaw. Untreated PsA even has the potential to cause permanent jaw damage.
Other Types of Arthritis
Other types of arthritis may also be linked to TMD. For example, traumatic arthritis (caused by an acute injury) can lead to long-term pain in the jaw. Infectious arthritis, which starts with an infection in the joint, is associated with inflammation, limited jaw movement, and other symptoms.
What Can You Do?
Here are a few practical steps that may help to protect your TMJ from the pain and damage that can be caused by arthritis:
- Work with your medical doctor to find ways to manage your arthritis.
- Talk to a qualified dentist about treatments that can stabilize the TMJ and reduce TMD symptoms.
- Avoid putting too much stress on your jaw joint (for example, you may need to eat a relatively soft diet).
TMD and arthritis are a painful and damaging combination! You should do all you can to protect your joint health.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Pamela West and Stephanie Gorczyca are the talented dentists at iSleepSolutions & TMJ Pain Therapy in Las Vegas. They have extensive knowledge of how the TMJ works and of how arthritis may affect its health. They offer treatments that are designed to provide effective and long-lasting pain relief. To learn more about how they and our team may be able to serve you, contact us at 702-602-2000.