The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is one of the most active joints in the body, helping with everyday functions like chewing, speaking, and yawning. When the joint, disc, or surrounding muscles are placed under too much strain, it can trigger symptoms such as pain, clicking, locking, or limited jaw movement.
TMJ problems do not affect everyone equally. Certain groups appear to be at higher risk of developing TMJ symptoms and joint deterioration earlier in life. No single risk factor explains every case of TMJ, but understanding your risk profile can make it easier to act early if you begin experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder.
Joint hypermobility
Generalised joint hypermobility is recognised as a predisposing factor for temporomandibular disorders. Some people are born with looser ligaments throughout their body, meaning their joints have more flexibility than average. You might have noticed this in yourself — perhaps you can bend your fingers back unusually far, or your elbows and knees hyperextend.
In the TMJ, this hypermobility means the ligaments that hold the disc in place over the condyle (the round head of the jawbone) may be looser than they should be. That can make the disc more likely to slip out of position, and once it has moved, it may not easily return to where it should be.
Hypermobility can also contribute to an open lock, where the jaw becomes stuck in a wide-open position. This typically happens when the disc is still in a relatively normal position, but the ligaments are too lax to keep the joint stable during a wide yawn or prolonged mouth opening.
If you have hypermobile joints and your jaw sometimes gets stuck open, it may be a sign that the joint is not moving as smoothly or as stably as it should. That is worth taking seriously, especially if symptoms are recurring.
Bruxism
Another major risk factor is nighttime clenching and grinding, known medically as bruxism.
Bruxism can affect both younger and older patients and is associated with a higher likelihood of temporomandibular disorders. In people with joint hypermobility, repeated clenching and grinding can place extra stress on an already unstable jaw joint.
Other risk factors for TMJ disorder
Several other factors may also increase strain on the jaw joint. A smaller lower jaw may place more pressure on the TMJ, which could help explain why some people are more vulnerable to painful jaw problems.
Dental procedures requiring prolonged mouth opening, including crown placements, root canal therapy, implant placement, and tooth extractions, particularly of lower molars and wisdom teeth, represent a documented risk for TMJ injury and associated muscle pain, especially in predisposed individuals.
What should you do if you have these risk factors?
Awareness is often the first step towards better long-term jaw health. When risk factors are recognised early, there is more opportunity to protect joint function, respond to symptoms promptly, and avoid simply adapting around a problem that may continue to progress.
TMJ problems are often overlooked, misunderstood, or mistaken for something else, which can delay the right care. TMJ Clinics offers something different: a trained, multidisciplinary team dedicated solely to the diagnosis and management of TMJ disorders.
You can find us in many Australian cities, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Canberra, Melbourne, West Melbourne, Bankstown, Kogarah, North Sydney, Norwest and Newcastle.
If you have known risk factors for TMJ disorder or would like a clearer understanding of your symptoms, please book an appointment with TMJ Clinics.
Authored by Dr. Sam Kim
