I suffer from pain in and around my temporomandibular joints. I have had some orthodontic treatment for this, but the pain persists. Do you have any advice for me?
Gordon Powell

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint where the lower jaw hinges with the skull just in front of the ear. Pain in this joint may be caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) at night and misalignment of the joint. Dental treatment often employs devices to prevent bruxism or improve alignment of the jaw.

If your pain persists after such treatment, you may be experiencing degeneration (osteoarthritis) of the cartilage in your TMJ. Glucosamine and chondroitin (available in health-food stores) might help. Glucosamine is said to regenerate cartilage tissue, while chondroitin is believed to deliver nutrients which help in the healing of cartilage and other soft tissues. In one study, individuals with osteoarthritis of the TMJ who took 1,500mg of glucosamine and 1,200mg of chondroitin daily for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in pain in the TMJ, and hence took less painkilling medication.

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· Before following any recommendations in this column, you should consult your own medical adviser about any medical problems or special health conditions