Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disorder in children, and it’s characterized by inflammation, pain, and discomfort in the joints. This complication can occur in the joint holding your upper and lower jaws, known as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). When your juvenile’s TMJ is affected by RA, it causes tenderness, pain, stiffness, and noise when opening and closing their mouth.

The critical question is: Can this problem be treated? This article discusses the available options for managing and treating juvenile rheumatoid-arthritis-related jaw disorders.

Common Juvenile Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Related Jaw Disorders

The prevalence of TMJ rheumatoid arthritis in children is estimated to be between 8 and 88 percent. Unfortunately, this type of RA causes numerous complications that can render your TMJ dysfunctional. Here are some of the common complications caused by rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint:

  • Aching jaws
  • Grating sensation
  • Pain, tenderness, and stiffness in the TMJ
  • Grinding, squeaking, and crunching sounds (crepitation)
  • Restricted range of motion
  • Reduced joint space
  • Loss of bone on the TMJ
  • Misaligned jaws in severe cases

With rheumatoid arthritis, your child will have difficulty chewing, laughing, yawning, speaking, and performing other acts with their mouth. That’s why you need to find treatment immediately.

Treating TMJ Rheumatoid Arthritis in Children

If your child shows any of the symptoms listed above, you should immediately take them to the dentist, hygienist, or dental therapist for a thorough checkup. Severe cases of RA in juveniles need to be managed with frequent dental appointments and rest, especially if they cause limited movement of the TMJ and excess discomfort.

The doctor will prescribe medication to prevent further damage to the tissue around the TMJ and slow the progression of the disease. They’ll also give your child anti-inflammation medications like steroids and nonsteroidal drugs to reduce pain and inflammation in the joint. This treatment method is meant to slow down or stop the disease from progressing rapidly, thus reducing or eliminating the related symptoms and disorders.

Besides medication, your doctor will advise your child to make specific lifestyle changes and adopt simple homecare measures to prevent the disease from progressing. These measures include:

  • Hot and cold compress therapy
  • Minimizing pressure on the TMJ by eating soft foods (avoid hard, chewy, and crunchy foods)
  • Avoiding acts that force them to open their mouth too wide
  • Avoiding clenching their jaw
  • Using a mouth guard during sleep

You should also teach your child to massage the muscles around their TMJ regularly and perform relaxation exercises.