The temporo-mandibular-joint (TMJ) has a dense anatomy of nerves, muscles, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons, sympathetic fibers, and synovial fluid within a small joint socket. The function of the TMJ is to hold the jaw within a certain boundary and guide the jaw movement in chewing, talking, singing, yawning, and swallowing etc.
Clenching and Deviating Jaw
People will often clench or grind their jaw unconsciously (either awake or asleep) which tightens the muscles of the jaw, increases the pressure on the teeth and makes the ear canal vulnerable to infection.
Clenching and/or a deviating jaw can cause jaw or teeth pain. It can also lead to headaches. Soft tissue treatment includes releasing internal and external jaw muscles.