Problems in the masticatory system

Two people are standig up and rubbing their jaws and temples. The following text appears on the screen: “Do you suffer from pain in your face or jaw?”  

“Have you expirienced jaw clicking or had difficulty opening your mouth?”

Next, the same people rub their shoulders and forehead. The following text is shown on the screen: “Do you often get headaches and neck and shoulder problems?”

The persons are directly facing the camera. The other person shows with their hand the text that appears on the screen: “You may have a temporomandibular disorder, also known as TMD. The term refers to pain and dysfunction in te chewing organs, such as jaw joints and jaw muscles.”

People on the video are pointing to the text bars that appear on the screen. The text bars say: “Common TMD symptoms include:  

• Facial and/or jaw pain
• Clicking of the jaw joint 
• Difficulty opening your mouth”  

In the next view, people still point to the text bars that pop up. The text bars read: “Other symptoms may include:

• Recurring headaches  
• Jaw stiffness, tenderness or locking 
• Difficulty chewing  
• Neck and shoulder problems” 

The closing screen of the video shows the FSHS logo. 

A person is lying under a blanket with a sleep mask on their eyes. The person gets up and lifts the sleep mask off their face. The following text is shown on the screen: “Do you wake up in the morning with pain in your face or jaw?”  

The person begins to rub their chin, frowning. At the same time, the text appears on the screen: “You may have temporomandibular disorders or TMD, which refers to pain and dysfunction in the jaw joints and muscles.”  

Next, the person sits with the blanket partially over them. They have the sleep mask on their forehead. They also have a mug in their hand. The person points to the text that appears on the screen:  “Common underlying factors for TMD include: 

• Stress  
• Sleep disturbances 
• Bruxism  
• Injuries in the head, face, jaws and neck area”  

“Bruxism can happen at night (sleep bruxism) or during the day (awake bruxism).”  

In the next picture, the person is lying with their head against the pillow with a sleep mask on their eyes and is grinding their teeth together. The following text is shown on the screen: “Stress and sleep disturbances cause bruxism, or teeth grinding, in many people. Bruxism puts undue stress on the chewing muscles, teeth and jaw joints.”  

In the next picture, a person is typing on their laptop while grinding their teeth. The following text is shown on the screen:

“Awake bruxism, on the other hand, is a habit caused by muscle tension and can be unlearnt. Bruxism usually involves teeth clenching or grinding and tension in the jaw muscles, sometimes with no contact between teeth. It can also involve tongue/cheek tension or pushing your tongue between your teeth.”

Next, the person smiles directly at the camera and then points to the text that appears on the screen: “The tendency to experience bruxism is increased by stress, sleep disturbances, coffee, stimulants, smoking, alcohol, drugs, antidepressants.”

The closing screen of the video shows the FSHS logo. 

A person is sitting at a desk in front of a computer. They rub their jaws, frowning. The following text appears on the screen: “Do you have a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, which refers to pain and dysfunction in the jaw joints and muscles?”

“TMD is often caused by stress, sleep disturbances and bruxism (teeth grinding).” 

The next picture shows a laptop and hands tapping on a keyboard. The following text is shown on the screen: “To better manage your stress, you should slow down and plan how you’re going to use your time.

• Start using calendar 
• Prioritise 
• Learn to say “no” 
• Take breaks and get enough rest 
• Learn to be kind to yourself and lower any overly high standards.” 

After that, the video switches to an outdoor autumn landscape, where a person walks away from the camera wearing exercise clothes. The following text is shown on the screen: “Excercise, spending time outdoors and engaging in a hobby all reduce stress. Spend time doing things you enjoy.”

Next, a person is sitting on the floor on a mat with their eyes closed. At the same time, the following text is displayed on the screen: “To overcome sleep disturbances, tips for the evening program:

• Avoid stimulants, smoking and alcohol, strenouous exercise late in the evening, spending time on your computer, phone or watching TV 
• Go for herbal teas or warm milk instead and follow a daily routine, including regular mealtimes 
• Slow down and relax as the evening progresses 
• Do light exercises, such as stretching or yoga, or go for a walk.” 

The picture changes to another person sitting on the couch under a blanket with a cup of tea in their hand and flipping through a magazine. The same text is still displayed on the screen.

Then the frame changes to a picture where a person is lying on the floor on a carpet. They are pointing their diaphragm while looking at the camera. Then they take a deep breath with their eyes closed. At the same time, the following text is shown: “You can also learn diaphragmatic breathing exerciss or calming body meditation. They help activate your “calming” parasympathetic nervous system and reduce stimulation in the “stressing” sympathetic nervous system.”

In the final frame, the person smiles and shows a thumbs up to the camera while the text appears on the screen: “You can do it!”

The FSHS logo is shown at the end of the video. 

A person looks straight into the camera, smiling, and points to their temples with their index fingers. After that, they move the thermal bath bag around his chin. At the same time, the following text appears on the screen: “Massaging your masticatory muscles at home: Start by warming your jaw muscles with a warm compress.”

Next, the person is shown from the side. They sit at the table and presses their fingers to their cheeks and then rolls their fingers on their temples. At the same time, the following text appears on the screen: “Massaging your masticatory muscles at home: Locate your buccinator and temple muscles (main chewing muscles) by first clenching your teeth and then relaxing.”

After that, the person closes their eyes and leans against the table with their elbows and presses their cheeks with their fingers, occasionally improving their posture. At the same time, the following text appears on the screen: “Massaging your masticatory muscles at home: Place three fingers on your muscles. Rest your elbows firmly on a surface such as table, and lean forward. Alloe your fingertips to press on the muscles. Count to three and repeat.” 

The person opens and closes their mouth. The previous text is still displayed on the screen, but in addition the following is displayed as new text on the screen: “To enhance the massage and stretching, slowly open your mouth while pressing the muscle.”

The person moves their hand to their temples and presses them slowly. The following text is shown on the screen: “Place three fingers on your muscles. Rest your elbows firmly on a surface such as table and lean forward. Allow your fingertips to press on the muscles. Count to three and repeat.”

The person opens and closes their mouth. The previous text is still displayed on the screen, but in addition the following is displayed as on the screen: “To enhance the massage and stretching, slowly open your mouth while pressing the muscle.”

Then the person looks straight into the camera with a smile and makes a heart shape with their hands. The following text is shown on the screen: “Good luck!”

The FSHS logo can be seen at the end of the video. 

A person sits at a table and points upwards. The following text is shown on the screen: “Jaw mobility exercises.” Next, the person presses their jaws with a heat bath with two hands. The text on the screen says: “Start by warming your jaw muscles with a warm compress.”

Then the person moves their chin from left to right. The text on the screen says: “Then warm up with quick jaw movements in all directions. The actual exercises should be performed slowly and in a controlled manner all the way as far as your range of motion allows.”

After this, the person is still sitting at the table, but now they lean on their elbows so that their chin rests on their hands. They open and close their mouth calmly. The text on the video says: “Straighten your back and make sure your hands are well supported. Keeping your lower jaw in its initial position with your hands, open your mouth by tilting your head back. This will activate your neck muscles.”

Then the person is shown from the side sitting at a table. They open their mouth and puts the thumbs of both hands against their teeth and uses their thumbs to gently pump their mouth open. The text on the screen says: “Open your mouth as wide as you can and stretch by repeating opening and closing movement.”

Next, the person moves their chin alternately from right to left and from front to back. They sit at the table and look ahead. The text in the video says: 

“Directions of the movement:  

• Right-left 
• Forward-backward”  

In the final frame, the person smiles and looks at the camera while raising the thumbs of both hands. The following text appears on the screen: “Good luck!”

The FSHS logo can be seen at the end of the video. 

Occlusal therapy refers to the treatment of masticatory (chewing) system disorders (temporomandibular disorders, TMD) such as masticatory muscle or jaw joint symptoms due to bruxism (teeth grinding). The treatment may include providing the patient with advice and self-care instructions as well as physiotherapy and the use of a bruxism splint. If necessary, pain and other symptoms can be be alleviated with painkillers.

TMD symptoms are usually mild and temporary and may not require treatment by an oral health professional.

Jaw joint clicking is a fairly common problem that may occur when the mouth is opened or closed. The most common cause is reversible disc displacement. If the jaw joint sounds are not associated with pain, treatment is not necessary.

Do not try clicking unnecessarily. If the problems increase or your jaw joint gets stuck, please contact your dentist.

There is a lot you can do to alleviate your problems, including jaw exercises, stretching, massage and using cold or warm compresses. You can also take painkillers if necessary.

Pay attention to your posture and work positions, take breaks while working and remember to exercise and relax sufficiently.

Your jaw is in a relaxed position when your upper and lower teeth do not touch each other, there is a small gap between your upper and lower teeth, and your tongue lies relaxed on the bottom of your mouth. Your teeth should not touch each other except when you chew and as you begin to swallow.

To reduce joint strain avoid chewing gum, your nails or objects such as pens or pencils.

Treatment of masticatory system disorders is usually successful. There are many treatment methods. The best treatment is chosen individually based on the underlying causes and severity of the problems and any other disorders you may have.

Treatment does not generally overcome jaw clicking, but pain-free clicking does not usually require treatment.

Self-care according to the instructions provided by healthcare professionals will ensure treatment success.

At a remote appointment, an oral health professional will assess your situation by interviewing you in detail. You’ll be given individual self-care instructions and may be referred for group counselling or an appointment. Remote appointments may also be suitable for tracking your treatment success.