Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball opened up about suffering from a painful jaw condition that causes “awful headaches”.
In an Instagram post to her 739,000 followers, the radio presenter shared pictures of herself before and after treatment in a London-based clinic.
Alongside the post, she wrote: “I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension and jaw clenching.
“So grateful to Helen @thesculptresslondon for her magic. This is my face after I’ve seen her, check out my face before – yikes – picture 2.”
But what are the symptoms of this condition, and can it be treated?
What is it?
Dr Rizwan Mahmood, dentist and co-founder of Ruh Dental, says: “TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull.”
“This joint enables essential movements like speaking, chewing and yawning and is vital for daily functions, and issues with it can cause significant discomfort.”
People often mistakenly use TMJ to refer to the condition, but TMD is the more accurate term.
“TMJ refers to the joint itself, whereas TMD (temporomandibular disorder) describes the various conditions that can affect the joint and the surrounding muscles,” Dr Mahmood adds.
There are three main types of TMD.
Dr Anni Seaborne, head of general dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, says: “The main types are joint disorders (like disc problems in the joint), muscle disorders (affecting the chewing muscles) and headaches linked to TMD.”
What causes these problems?
“Jaw joint issues can have multiple causes, such as jaw injuries (like overstretching or dislocation), teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism), complex dental procedures (such as wisdom tooth removal), poor jaw posture or habits like biting nails or chewing hard objects,” explains Dr Seaborne.
What are the symptoms?
“Symptoms can include pain in the jaw, ear, neck, or shoulders and a restricted jaw movement or a locked jaw,” says Dr Seaborne. “People also experience clicking, popping, or grating sounds when moving the jaw, headaches and feeling like their bite is misaligned.
“Symptoms often improve on their own but may worsen with stress, chewing, or grinding.”
How can it impact everyday life?
Dr Mahmood says: “TMD can make simple activities like chewing, talking or even yawning painful and difficult. It may also disrupt sleep patterns and impact focus and concentration, making it hard to function during the day.”
Can it lead to any complications?
“If left untreated, TMD can lead to chronic pain, limited jaw mobility, and even long-term damage to the jaw joint,” warned Mahmood. “It can also cause migraines, ear problems and difficulty speaking or eating.”
Can it be treated?
“Generally speaking, it can subside by itself, with recommendations for managing symptoms at home,” says Dr Nyree Whitley, chief clinical officer at Mydentist. ”
This may include eating softer foods that are easier to chew, over-the-counter pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to manage any pain, reducing habits such as nail biting, jaw clenching or teeth grinding and applying a hot or cold compress to the face.
“In some instances, your dentist will also recommend using a mouth guard either at night or in the daytime to keep your teeth well protected.”
However, if symptoms persist for more than three months, surgery may be considered.
“In these cases, a specialist may recommend other treatments including jaw manipulation under anaesthesia, muscle relaxant injections or surgery for severe cases (eg, repairing or replacing the joint),” says Dr Seaborne.
Can you do anything to ease the symptoms yourself?
“Avoid opening your mouth really wide and avoid habits such as chewing your fingernails and gum,” recommends Whitley.
“Also avoid straining your neck and back with prolonged poor posture, for example, when you are working at a computer or a desk.”
“Eat foods that you do not need to chew hard or for a long time and do wear a hard bite guard if your dentist gives you one,” advises Dr Whitley.
“Try to reduce the sources of stress in your life if possible and do more general physical exercise if you can.
“And finally, be patient. Nine out of 10 patients with TMD get better by following these simple suggestions.”
