Surveys conducted by the federal government indicate that TMJDs are surprisingly common: At any given time some 10 million people in the community at large report jaw pain, generally lasting more than six months. The problems primarily affect women in their child-bearing years. In milder forms of the condition women outnumber men two to one, but as symptoms worsen, the female to male ratio grows to the point that up to 90 percent of patients seeking tertiary care (referred to centers for specialty care and treatment) are women.

One or both joints may be affected in people with temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs), which can affect a person’s ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, and even breathe. Facial pain can be a symptom of many conditions, such as sinus or ear infections, decayed or abscessed teeth, various types of headache, and facial neuralgia (nerve-related facial pain). People diagnosed with TMJDs may also experience other symptoms and medical conditions, including interstitial cystitis.

For the latest information about TMJDs, visit the TMJ Association website.

Learn more about common overlapping conditions. Also contact other not-for-profit health organizations for more information about these related conditions.