Can TMD Go Away on Its Own? How Long It Lasts & When to Seek Professional Help

Over 10 million Americans suffer from TMJ disorders (TMD), yet many remain unsure about what it entails or how to treat it. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty chewing, you're not alone. You may be wondering: Can TMD go away on its own? While some cases resolve naturally, others require more attention. Let’s take a look at the difference between TMJ and TMD, how it happens, and when to seek professional help.

What is the Difference Between TMJ and TMD?

TMJ and TMD are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they refer to different things.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)

• What it is: TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joint itself, which is the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have two of them, one on each side, enabling essential functions like opening and closing your mouth, chewing, talking, and yawning.

TMD (Temporomandibular Disorder)

• What it is: TMD refers to the disorders and conditions that affect the TMJ and the surrounding muscles, causing pain and dysfunction. So, you have TMJs, but you suffer from TMD.

Common TMD Symptoms and Warning Signs to Watch Out For

Symptoms of TMD can include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking or popping sounds when you open or close your mouth
• Difficulty chewing or speaking
• Earaches or headaches
• Stiffness or limited jaw movement 

What’s Triggering Your Jaw Pain? The Underlying Etiology of TMD

While a jaw injury, arthritis, or stress-related clenching can trigger TMD, the most common root cause is often a developmental issue that starts in childhood. Proper craniofacial development is essential for jaw health, and disruptions during this process can lead to TMD later in life.

The foundation for a well-aligned jaw relies on correct oral posture: teeth apart, lips together, and the tongue resting on the roof of the mouth. This posture guides the upper jaw (maxilla) to grow wide enough to accommodate all teeth and support healthy nasal airways.

However, this development can be disrupted if a child struggles to maintain proper posture due to conditions such as:

• Tongue Tie (Ankyloglossia): This condition restricts tongue movement, preventing it from supporting the growth of the palate.
• Obstruction: Allergies, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a deviated septum can lead to chronic mouth breathing, which further complicates oral posture.

This leads to several key issues

• The tongue sits low in the mouth, failing to properly support the palate’s development
• The palate becomes narrow and vaulted, which A) presses on the nasal septum, causing a deviation, and B) limits the widening of the nasal airway, worsening breathing.
• Simultaneously, the mandible (lower jaw) rotates backward, creating a more obtuse angle and a "smaller chin" appearance.
• This change in the jaw's position creates constant strain on the TMJ and results in a more restricted oropharyngeal airway.

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is a major warning sign that the upper airway is restricted. The body clenches the jaw and engages facial muscles during sleep in an attempt to stabilize the airway and prevent collapse. These actions combine to create significant strain on the TMJ, which can displace the disc (joint pathology) and/or create muscular and ligament damage (TMD). Therefore, misalignment of the teeth or jaw is often secondary to the underlying upper airway obstruction that caused the craniofacial changes. Even arthritis in the joint can result from years of this chronic microtrauma.

Common triggers and contributing factors:

• Jaw injury or trauma: Accidents, whiplash, or falls can damage the jaw joint.
• Teeth grinding: Often a sign of airway obstruction, it puts excessive pressure on the TMJ.
• Stress: Increased stress can lead to subconscious jaw clenching, exacerbating the issue.
• Misalignment of teeth or jaw: An uneven bite can put extra strain on the TMJ but is often a symptom of the underlying developmental issue.
• Athritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joint, leading to pain and inflammation.

How to Prevent TMD Issues

The best approach to TMD is prevention, and it starts in childhood by ensuring proper craniofacial development:

• Evaluate for Obstructions: Children should be assessed for nasal and upper airway obstruction.
• Monitor Sleep Signs: Snoring and teeth grinding in children should be evaluated to rule out conditions such as tonsil, adenoid, or nasal turbinate enlargement, and sleep apnea. Enlargement of the tonsils, adenoids, or turbinates should prompt environmental allergy and food sensitivity testing.
• Check for Tongue Ties. A tongue restriction can hinder proper craniofacial development, potentially leading to TMD. It should be evaluated by an airway focused dentist, hygienist, or oro-myofunctional therapist.
• Consider Early Intervention: If the upper jawdoesn’t develop properly, expansion may be needed, ideally by age 4 or sooner.

Can TMD Heal on Its Own?

When the underlying triggers are managed or eliminated, TMJ issues can become a thing of the past. The good news is that most mild cases of TMJ often improve on their own within days or weeks with simple self-care. Here’s why:

• Temporary inflammation from stress, overuse, or minor injury often subsides with rest.
• Muscle tension from clenching or grinding teeth may ease with relaxation techniques.
• Minor joint misalignments can sometimes resolve with reduced strain or proper posture.

However, chronic TMJ—especially when caused by the underlying craniofacial and airway issues described above, arthritis, or severe structural damage—typically won't improve without professional treatment. Lasting relief often requires addressing the root cause:

·       Research has shown that improving nasal obstruction can significantly enhance outcomes for TMJ sufferers (Olmos SR. Nasal airway obstruction and orofacial pain: a multicenter retrospective analysis. Gen Dent. 2022 Nov-Dec;70(6):28-33. PMID: 36288072)

·       The use of oral appliances (specialized dental splints) can allow for the jaw muscles to relax and reposition the joint.

·       Evaluation and management of sleep conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea should be completed in all patients to minimize recurrence. 

How to Relieve TMJ Pain at Home

If you’re dealing with TMJ pain, there are several strategies you can try at home to find relief. Here are some effective methods:

1. Heat and Cold Therapy. Applying a warm compress can relax muscles, while an ice pack can reduce swelling. Use both depending on your symptoms.

2. Gentle Jaw Exercises. Performing gentle, prescribed stretches and exercises can help improve jaw mobility and reduce stiffness. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider or physical therapist for specific exercises that are safe for you.

3. Stress Management Techniques. Since stress often exacerbates TMJ symptoms, incorporating relaxation techniques into your daily routine can be beneficial.

4. Avoid Hard or Chewy Foods. Give your jaw a break by opting for softer foods that require less chewing. Foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soups can be easier on your jaw.

5.  Practice Healthy Resting Oral Posture: Teeth apart, lips together, tongue floated to the roof of the mouth with the tip of the tongue gently resting behind the front teeth.

6. Improve Nasal Breathing: Nasal valve dilators (Breathe right strips, mute dilators, etc.) can be worn throughout the day and night to reduce strain from obstructed nasal breathing.

7. Avoid Inflammatory Triggers: Reducing allergens, alcohol, sugar, etc. will help in therecovery process.

When Should You See a Doctor About TMJ

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seeking professional help is important for effective treatment:

• Pain is persistent: If the pain continues for weeks or months without relief.
• Severe pain: If you experience intense, sharp, or throbbing pain in your jaw or face.
• Difficulty moving your jaw: If you can’t fully open or close your mouth or if your jaw locks.
• Headaches, earaches, or tooth damage: These symptoms may point to underlying issues that require attention.

FAQs About TMJ

Q: How can I tell if my TMJ is serious?
A: TMJ pain is not normal. Trauma to the face or neck may result in short lived pain. If pain persists for longer than 3 weeks from the time of the trauma, an evaluation is needed.

Q: Can poor posture cause TMJ?
A: Yes! Forward head posture strains jaw muscles. Nasal obstruction, specifically at the front of the nose (nasal valve) is a trigger for forward head posture. Physical therapy can help with strengthening posture support muscles, but persistent nasal and upper airway obstruction will continue to have the ability to trigger a return to forward head posture in an attempt to improve the upper airway (a sniffing posture – head forward – straightens the airway so we naturally return to this posture when we experience ongoing airway narrowing).

Expert Treatment for TMJ in Schaumburg and Rockford, Illinois

At Exhale Sinus & Facial Pain Centers, we specialize in diagnosing and treating the root causes of TMD to help patients regain comfort and restore function. Our experienced team tailors treatments to your individual needs, from managing airway issues to custom oral appliances. Don’t let TMD pain control your life. Our Schaumburg and Rockford specialists in TMJ disorders offer personalized treatments—from custom night guards to advanced therapies. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a pain-free jaw!

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