Most people believe that temporomandibular joint disorder (also known as TMJ/TMD) is a problem that affects adolescents and young adults, but most patients are actually middle-aged or older. Unfortunately, few people seek diagnosis or TMJ disorder treatment in the prime of their life, and continue to suffer from the symptoms as they age.
We’ll discuss TMJ symptoms and treatment in a little more detail below.
Prevalence and Causes of TMD in Older Patients
In younger patients, TMJ pain is typically associated with issues that affect the jaw muscle. While the exact causes of TMJ syndrome in adults and elderly patients have not yet been identified, the disorder may be connected to certain factors that become more prevalent as old age approaches:
- Muscle spasms in the head, neck or jaw, which can be caused by other medical conditions, accidents and injuries.
- Changes in tooth structure, like tooth replacement or wearing down of teeth, as well as replacement of old fillings, fitting of dentures and other dental procedures.
- Greater possibility of trauma to the temporomandibular joint or TMJ cartilage disc, and injuries to the jaw, head or neck.
- Onset of arthritis, especially osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. These affect various joints in the body, including the jaw joint.
Signs of TMD in the Older Population
Common symptoms of TMJ disease in older patients include:
- Jaw popping, locked jaw and other joint-related complaints while chewing, speaking, etc.
- Frequent or debilitating headaches, neck aches, stiff shoulders, pain in the jaw area and nearby locations like ears, temple, cheek, etc.
- Bruxism or teeth grinding may be a symptom/cause of TMJ, indicating a gearing problem that leads to muscle spasms.
- Feeling “tightness” or reduced movement in the jaw, which may be accompanied by other symptoms like jaw locking.
- “Clicks” and other noises in the jaw, buzzing in the ear, vertigo (dizziness), greater sensitivity to sounds, etc.
TMJ Pain Treatment for Older Patients
Common TMJ treatment methods include:
- Resting the Joint – Relaxation techniques can help rest the jaw joint and ease TMJ pain, often coupled with stress-reduction methods to reduce clenching.
- Orthodontics – Orthodontic techniques like equilibration aim to correct gearing of teeth on a minute level, which reduces grinding and muscle spasms. Night guards and dental splints can also help.
- Jaw Exercises – Through ultrasound or heat treatments, massage and other physiotherapy techniques, the joint can be exercised to improve movement and reduce the symptoms of TMJ.
- Surgery/Injections – For severe cases, surgery may be needed for repairing the joint. Steroid or Botox injections can also help reduce inflammation and other symptoms.
- Pain Medication – Muscle relaxants, antidepressants and painkillers may be prescribed for TMJ pain. These can become addictive and often have harmful side-effects, so medication is not preferred for elderly patients.
Your doctor will attempt to correct any underlying medical conditions before resorting to surgery or medication for TMD. If you suffer from any of the symptoms, visit a health professional for TMJ treatment at the earliest.
