What is TMD?

TMD or Temporomandibular Disorders are a group of conditions affecting the jaw joint, muscles, and surrounding structures, causing pain, stiffness, headaches, and difficulty with jaw movement. JawSpace helps self-management these symptoms.

Date published: 10/04/2025

Key takeaways:

• What is TMD?
  Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) affect the jaw joint (TMJ), chewing muscles, and related structures—causing pain and dysfunction in the jaw and face. TMD is not life-threatening and often responds well to simple care.

• How common is it?
  TMD affects 10–15% of adults, especially women aged 20–40, and is the second most common orofacial pain after toothache.

• Causes
  TMD has multiple contributing factors, including jaw injury, arthritis, dental issues, genetics, stress, poor posture, and habits like gum chewing or teething grinding and clenching.

• Symptoms
  Common signs include jaw pain or tenderness, clicking sounds, difficulty chewing or opening the mouth, headaches, and occasional jaw locking.

• Diagnosis
  A dentist diagnoses TMD through physical examination; imaging is used only when needed.

• Treatment
  Most cases respond well to self-management—soft foods, relaxation, gentle exercises, and short-term pain relief. CBT or splints may help, but surgery is rarely necessary.
  

Introduction

Temporomandibular Disorders, or TMD, encompasses a range of conditions that affect the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ or jaw joint), the muscles of mastication (chewing muscles that move the jaw), and the associated structures.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is a hinge-like connection between the jaw and the temporal bone of the skull. The TMJ enables essential functions such as speaking, chewing, and yawning.

TMD is a common condition that affects an estimated 10% to 15% of the adult population worldwide. It is the second most common form of mouth and facial pain (known as ‘orofacial’ pain) after toothaches, and the second most common musculoskeletal pain after back pain. Specific rates can vary, depending on the population studied and the diagnostic criteria used.

TMD often occurs in younger adults between the ages of 20 and 40, with a higher prevalence in females. The reasons behind this gender difference could be related to factors such as hormonal influences, differences in pain perception, and psychosocial factors.

What causes TMD?

There is no one singular ‘cause’ for TMD and multiple things contribute towards it’s cause, including:

• Injury to the jaw or TMJ

• Dental issues

• Genetic predisposition

• Arthritis

• Substances such as caffeine and tobacco

• Changes in the sensitivity of the pain signalling system

• Other pain conditions such as migraine

Additionally, certain aggravating activities, such as frequent gum chewing, nail biting, poor sleep, poor posture, and excessive jaw movements can begin, worsen or prolong TMD symptoms.

What problems (“signs and symptoms”) might I experience with TMD and how do I get diagnosed and treated?

Symptoms of TMD vary from person to person, but TMD can often lead to:

• Pain or tenderness in the jaw, face or around the ear

• Difficulty chewing

• Difficulty in opening or closing the mouth

• Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint

• Headaches and earaches

• Facial pain and swelling

• Jaw locking (either open or closed)

The severity and frequency of these symptoms can differ from person to person. It is important to note that jaw locking either open or closed is a very uncommon event and only happens in a very small subset of those who are experiencing a specific subtype of TMD.

Diagnosing TMD

Diagnosing TMD requires a thorough examination by a dentist. The examination will involve physical palpation of the joint and surrounding muscles, and observation of jaw movement. It doesn’t always require x-rays or scans, but can do so if a specialist feels they will give added benefit over the findings from the physical examination.

Treatments and management of TMD

Treatment options for TMD depend on the underlying cause and severity of the symptoms. Self-management techniques are important and will be helpful regardless of pain severity. Self-management forms a foundation that supports additional management options if they become necessary. Often supported self-management alone is effective in managing symptoms. Long-standing data suggest a 75-95% success rate when used consistently and early in the course of a TMD. These data are borne out in the most recent examination of the science in TMD which provided strong recommendations in favour of beginning with self-management approaches.

Self-management includes strategies for easing pain and habits that support living well alongside pain. Common components of self-management to reduce pain exacerbations include: adjusting your diet to eat softer foods for 10-14 days, applying heat or covered ice packs, practising relaxation techniques, completing some self-administered physical therapy and self-massage.

Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications may also provide relief. If these types of pain relief medications are used, then they should be used for a short period of time; 5-10 days maximum.

More holistic elements of self-management might also include:

• Prioritising the things that you find meaningful and valuable in life

• Balancing activity and rest

• Making sure to plan things that you enjoy

• Learning to live well with, not fight pain

• Relaxation or meditation for wellbeing

• Maintaining relationships and communication

Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) may be recommended and can help to support self-management of pain. CBT or other psychological therapies may also be helpful to treat any symptoms of anxiety or depression that are present alongside pain.

Dental splints may be used to help with some of the muscular pain of certain subtypes of TMD. It is extremely unusual for injections or surgery to be required as most cases (75-90%) respond well to self-management. Injections to the muscles or joint or surgery to the joint are possible but are usually only considered in very specific circumstances. 

While some subtypes of TMD can be painful, TMD generally is not a serious or life-threatening group of conditions, and many people find relief with appropriate treatment. If you suspect you have TMD, consult a dental professional for a comprehensive evaluation. Although TMD can be intensely painful this pain will usually respond well to very simple interventions. It would be very unusual for TMD to cause lasting and ongoing damage to joints or muscles, and a dentist can easily identify any worrying causes that are mimicking TMD and may need specific treatment.

References:

1. Reuben, S.S. (2004) ‘Re cheng et al.. acute pain 2004;6:23–8’, Acute Pain, 6(2), pp. 83–84. doi:10.1016/j.acpain.2004.06.002. 

2. Schiffman E, Ohrbach R, Truelove E, et al. Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) for Clinical and Research Applications: recommendations of the International RDC/TMD Consortium Network* and Orofacial Pain Special Interest Group†. J Oral Facial Pain Headache. 2014;28(1):6-27. doi:10.11607/jop.1151

3. TMJ basics (2023) The TMJ Association. Available at: https://tmj.org/living-with-tmj/basics/ 

4. Smith, S.B. et al. (2013) ‘Genetic variants associated with development of TMD and its intermediate phenotypes: The genetic architecture of TMD in the Oppera Prospective Cohort Study’, The Journal of Pain, 14(12). doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2013.09.004. 

5. Smith, M.T. et al. (2009) ‘Sleep disorders and their association with laboratory pain sensitivity in temporomandibular joint disorder’, Sleep, 32(6), pp. 779–790. doi:10.1093/sleep/32.6.779. 

6. Durham, J. et al. (2016) ‘Self-management programmes in temporomandibular disorders: Results from an international Delphi Process’, Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 43(12), pp. 929–936. doi:10.1111/joor.12448. 

7. Greene, C S. “The etiology of temporomandibular disorders: implications for treatment.” Journal of orofacial pain vol. 15,2 (2001): 93-105; discussion 106-16.