What Causes TMJ Disorder? | TMJ-Chiro

What is TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder (also called tempomandibular joint dysfunction) refers to problems in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles that lead to pain, clicking, popping, stiffness, and difficulty chewing or speaking. Understanding what causes TMJ is the first step toward effective relief.

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Top Causes & Risk Factors of TMJ Disorder

Here are the main root causes I see at TMJ-Chiro, plus key risk factors.

#1 Sleep disordered breathing (learn more here) 

#2 Stress

#3 Medications (especially SSRIs) 

#4 Joint stability + Hypermobility (clenching brings stability, so hypermobile people tend to have TMJ issues) 

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Other Contributing Factors

Poor posture (forward head, slunped shoulders which alters jaw positioning and adds strain

Habitual behaviors: chewing gum, biting fingernails, tapping teeth

Dental issues

Injury or trauma: previous jaw injury, whiplash, dental work, or sudden impact

Arthritis or joint degeneration: wear and tear in the joint

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Common Symptoms

• Frequent jaw pain / soreness in face, jaw, neck, or ear region

• Clicking, popping or grinding sounds when opening and closing mouth

• Difficulty opening wide, jaw locking or jaw “giving way”

• Headaches, earaches, ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

• Increased symptoms with stress, poor sleep, or certain medications

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Ready to Find Relief?

At TMJ-Chiro, we help uncover the root causes of your TMJ disorder and create a plan that might include:

• Fascial release and Craniosacral therapy

• Jaw and posture exercises rooted in myofunctional therapy

• Stress management strategies.

Don’t Ignore Jaw Pain

TMJ disorder often gets worse if untreated— but with the right care, you can feel better!

👉 Schedule your TMJ consultation with TMJ-Chiro today.

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