While TMD may develop through the natural process of getting older and the simple wear and tear of using our teeth to eat and chew, other factors can contribute to the development of TMD. They are:
Trauma to the jaw, head, or neck
Jaw misalignments
Arthritis
Braces
Clenching of the teeth
Grinding of the teeth
Poor posture involving the neck or head
Cracking, popping, locking of the jaw