TMJ in Children and Adolescents: Prevalence of Pain, and Perceived Treatment Need

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as well as the surrounding muscles and associated structures. The TMJ is one of the most used joints in the body; we use it every time we speak or eat. The health and position of your child’s teeth and surrounding muscles and ligaments play a role in the alignment and function of this important joint.

It’s common for children and adolescents to develop TMD due to stress or trauma to the jaw. Pain and other bothersome symptoms can occur if your child’s jaw is overexerted. This often happens due to elevated levels of stress and anxiety, sports injuries, or grinding the teeth and clenching the jaw while sleeping (bruxism). While this issue is quite common, it’s important to bring your child in to see a specialist for an evaluation and treatment promptly to prevent the TMJ concern from worsening.

If your teen complains that their jaw makes a clicking or popping noise, it’s a sign of a TMD. This is one of the most common symptoms of jaw joint problems. Your teen may have developed TMJ issues due to a variety of reasons, such as excessive gum chewing, high levels of stress due to school, trauma to the jaw, or bruxism. The alignment of the child’s teeth can also contribute to the development of TMD. TMD is common in teenagers, especially teen girls.

In addition to hearing a clicking noise while moving the jaw, your teen may complain of headaches, jaw stiffness, dizziness, or ringing in the ears. If such symptoms are present, it’s important to see a specialist promptly and not delay seeking treatment. With the right care, TMDs can be managed, and your teen can enjoy life without bothersome jaw symptoms.

TMJ problems affect people in all age groups. People who are between the ages of 20 and 40 are the most likely to develop this condition. TMJ concerns are also common in children and teenagers. Furthermore, TMDs are also often experienced by seniors.

In youth, TMJ dysfunction is commonly caused by jaw-related injuries sustained through sports, respiratory illnesses that interfere with airway development, and misaligned teeth that influence the shape of the jaw. Additionally, the jaw grows and develops during late teenage hood and early twenties, potentially causing problems in the TMJ.

Adults are often affected by high levels of stress and subsequently experience bruxism due to this. Just like children and younger adults, seniors are not immune to TMJ problems. They can also develop TMDs from misaligned teeth, bruxism, and orofacial trauma. Overall, all age groups are susceptible to developing concerns with the jaw joint.

While puberty does not always cause problems with the jaw joint, it does lead to changes that can result in TMJ concerns. Due to this, TMDs are commonly observed during puberty. During this time, the jaw experiences growth and development, so the surrounding muscles and tendons must also stretch, strengthen, and grow to accommodate these changes.

In addition, hormonal changes in young women can cause TMJ concerns. The use of synthetic estrogens, or birth control pills, has been linked to a decrease in natural estrogen levels, which can lead to TMJ problems. Low levels of natural estrogen can cause inflammation and, in advanced cases, osteoarthritis in the jaw joint. It’s important to see a specialist to find out how to take care of TMJ problems so they don’t progress into more complex conditions.

If your teen is complaining of TMJ discomfort, it’s urged that you bring them in to see a specialist to determine the root cause of their symptoms. The dedicated professionals at Koala Center for Sleep & TMJ Disorders are here to support you and your family in effectively managing this condition to ensure your teen is living without constant, frustrating symptoms.