5 Main Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

5 Main Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

Posted by SOUTH FRIENDSWOOD DENTAL ASSOCIATES on Mar 8 2023, 08:16 AM

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the jaw joint. The TMJ is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. Here are a few symptoms that show you are suffering from TMJ disorder:

Jaw Pain

Patients with TMJ disorder may experience jaw pain, particularly when they open and close their mouth or chew food. In some cases, this pain can be severe and occur on a regular basis. If a patient experiences these symptoms, they should schedule an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible for an examination.

Limited Movement or Locking of the Jaw

This disorder can cause your lower teeth to bite together in a way that prevents you from opening your mouth fully. You may experience limited movement and locking of your jaw, which can make it difficult to chew your food properly. Many times, the patients who suffer from this disorder also suffer from migraines and tension headaches due to grinding their teeth at night.

If you are suffering from these symptoms, you may require several treatments to help restore full functionality to your jaw. This may include the use of medications as well as physiotherapy. Your dentist can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and offer a suitable treatment plan for your needs.

Earaches

Pain in the ears is a common symptom of TMJ disorder. You may experience throbbing pain, or you may detect clicking or popping sounds from one or both ears. These symptoms may be accompanied by dizziness and headaches as well. Pain can make it difficult for you to hear properly; you may have trouble hearing conversations in loud settings or when there’s a lot of background noise.

Difficulty Chewing or Biting

If you have trouble eating because it’s painful to chew your food, or you have pain in your jaw when you chew food, you should visit your dentist to determine the cause.

The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. It’s used every time you open and closes your mouth. Problems with your bite can affect the function of the jaw and the muscles that move it, causing discomfort and pain.

When it hurts to chew, you may avoid certain foods – which may result in nutritional deficiencies over time. If your jaw hurts when you try to eat, see your dentist right away for an exam. Your dentist may recommend treatment such as a night guard to help correct the misalignment of your bite. 

A Popping or Clicking Sound in the Jaw

The condition that causes this symptom is called TMJ disorder, and it’s a common one among adults. This noise happens when the disc that acts as a cushion between your jawbone and the socket is out of alignment. It’s even possible that the discs can move forward and backward slightly instead of staying in position. This condition can get progressively worse over time.

When the disc isn’t aligned as it should be, your jaw muscles begin to work overtime to try to move it back into place. As they do this, you may hear a clicking or popping sound in your jaw, and you might even feel some pain. You may also experience tension headaches.

If you’ve started to notice these symptoms, it’s time to talk to your dental professional about treatment options for you. 

Schedule an appointment with South Friendswood Dental Associates for comprehensive oral care. We are located at 699 S Friendswood Dr., Suite #108, Friendswood, TX 77546. Contact us at (281) 482-7731 or visit our website to book an appointment.

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