A common misconception often associates temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder with old age. However, this condition is likely to manifest in children and teens when triggered by emotional stress. And early detection is crucial to avoid future problems in the TMJ apparatus. 

At MVMT Sports Chiropractic, we specialise in treating TMJ disorders, including affected children and adolescents. We’re a team of experienced chiropractors committed to providing comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique needs of young patients. 

As early as possible, parents understanding this condition is key to effectively managing and preventing long-term complications. Here’s what you need to know about TMJ in children and teens.

Understanding TMJ Pain Children and Teens

The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) act as a sliding hinge connecting your lower jaw to the skull base. These versatile joints allow you to speak, chew, yawn, swallow, and make facial gestures comfortably. When TMJ becomes inflamed or misaligned, it can lead to a painful and discomforting experience for anyone.

If you suspect your child or teenager is having a TMJ dysfunction, watch out for these common symptoms:

  • Jaw popping or clicking – a subtle sound observed when fully opening and closing the mouth. 
  • Jaw pain often occurs with jaw locking and is often associated with fatigue and swelling.
  • Difficulty chewing – difficulty in chewing or swallowing the food, which may affect diet.
  • Headaches – TMJ pain radiating to your child’s temples or forehead.
  • Earaches – your child may experience ear ringing or ear pain without infections.
  • Uneven bite – irregular alignment in your child’s teeth and jaw due to chronic TMJ disorders.

Causes of TMJ Pain in Young Patients

While the definitive cause of TMJ pain is difficult to pinpoint, TMJ disorders affect people of all ages. 

Several factors may contribute to TMJ pain in young patients, including:

Bruxism

One common cause of TMJ pain in young people is excessive teeth clenching or grinding, known as bruxism. It’s a habit involuntarily occurring while sleeping, which puts excessive pressure on the TMJ. When it persists, bruxism causes stress, anxiety or sleep disturbances in young individuals.

Injury

TMJ problems may develop from injuries in the jaw, neck and face. Serious accidents, sports injuries, or falls among young people often cause damage to the TMJ and surrounding body parts.

Stress or anxiety

Stress or anxiety typically contributes to chronic TMJ pain. When frequently anxious, your children may unconsciously clench their jaw, bite their fingers or nibble pencils to release emotional stress. These habits strain the TMJ, which can lead to pain and discomfort. 

Jaw misalignment (Malocclusion)

Malocclusion is a common cause of TMJ pain in kids. This condition occurs when the teeth and jaw are not properly aligned, straining the TMJ and surrounding muscles. Children with habits like thumb or finger sucking and congenital jaw abnormalities potentially develop TMJ disorders.

Growth and developmental factors

A huge portion of children affected with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) develop TMJ arthritis. JIA often results in persistent symptoms like joint pain, swelling and stiffness. When left untreated, this results in devastating effects on the form and function of the jaw, joint and midface.

How TMJ Pain Affects a Child’s Life

Chronic TMJ pain potentially disrupts your children’s diet and nutrition. This mainly stems from chewing difficulties due to jaw pain and restricted motion. Worse, TMJ conditions inflict recurring headaches and earaches, further affecting a child’s comfort and well-being.

When TMJ dysfunction persists, the associated pain and distress make it difficult for a child to sleep or rest. Lack of sleep contributes to irritability and fatigue, which disrupts a child’s concentration and overall cognitive function. As a result, children may experience difficulty in completing schoolwork.

Emotional distress and chronic jaw pain may prompt young people to avoid activities like talking, eating or even smiling. In severe cases, TMJ can permanently change facial appearance. These can lead to social isolation and withdrawal, which affects the child’s self-esteem and confidence.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for TMJ in Children and Teens

Diagnosis of TMJ disorder in children and teens is challenging as symptoms often overlap with other conditions. That’s why comprehensive evaluation is crucial to identify the underlying cause. This often involves a combination of:

Physical Exams

It is often done by palpation to check for jaw joint swelling, muscle pain, and crackling sounds. Another way is to assess your child’s jaw’s ability to open, close, and perform various motions.

Imaging Tests

Medical professionals often use advanced imaging tests to thoroughly assess a child’s joint health and the extent of possible jaw misalignment. X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans provide detailed images of jaw joints, tissues, bone structures, and surrounding areas.

Symptoms Assessment

To assess TMJ symptoms among children and teens, doctors often consider the pain’s location, intensity and duration. Additionally, evaluating jaw movement, jaw-popping frequency and severity of other symptoms (headaches or earaches) is crucial to assessing TMJ conditions.

After completing the necessary assessments, finding a comprehensive treatment is key to managing TMJ disorders. As a leading chiropractic clinic in Sydney, MVMT Sports Chiropractic offers various treatment options for TMJ pain in children and teens. These include:

  • Physical Therapy: We provide specialised exercises to improve jaw mobility, strengthen jaw muscles and reduce chronic pain. We also employ therapist-assisted massages and mobilisations to release jaw muscle tension and correct posture, which contribute to alleviating TMJ discomfort.
  • Splint Therapy: Custom-fitted splints worn at night or day help align the jaw and reduce strains on the jaw joints. 
  • Stress Management: It is crucial to teach children and teens stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. This is a proactive method to address emotional factors contributing to TMJ symptoms. 
  • Surgical Options: Often a last resort, we work with TMJ specialists who surgically operate on severe cases of TMJ dysfunction. Surgical procedures include repairing damaged tissues (arthroscopy) or correcting several structural abnormalities (open joint surgery).

When to See a Specialist 

TMJ pain can be a significant issue for children, affecting their eating habits, sleep patterns, and even speech! Be cautious of recurring symptoms like difficulty chewing, clicking noises, and persistent pain in the jaw, ear, and head. These are serious signs to seek professional help to treat your child’s TMJ condition.

The sooner you seek professional help, the better your chances of successful outcomes. Early intervention is crucial to prevent further TMJ pain and damage to help improve your child’s quality of life. At MVMT Sports Chiropractic, we understand the importance of early intervention. And we’re dedicated to fully providing effective, compassionate care for young patients suffering from TMJ.If you believe your child or teen may be experiencing

For TMJ pain, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with our experienced chiropractors. Contact us at  0421 151 778 so we can assess your child’s symptoms and discuss potential treatment options.