Top Signs You Might Need TMJ Treatment

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jaw bone and skull. This joint lets you eat, speak, and chew freely. What happens when this joint muscle becomes stressed? Similar to other tensed muscles and joints in your body, you experience pain during jaw movement.

Malfunction of TMJ can disrupt your daily life and impact your well-being. It might make you think before you make regular jaw movements. It diminishes your quality of life, and jaw pain, headaches, or neck pain can become a part of your life.

Sounds appealing? No right? 

It’s best to identify TMJ signs early to begin TMJ treatment before it’s too late. Let’s get to know the signs of TMJ pain to help you take control of your health:

1. Jaw Pain

The primary sign of TMJ disorder is frequent pain in the jaw while talking, chewing, or resting. Movement of this joint can be painful and might worsen the more you move your jaw.

2. Clicking or Popping Sounds

It might be time to undergo TMJ treatment if you notice unusual sounds during your jaw moves.  Popping noises while opening or closing your mouth are common signs of TMJ disorders. You might also notice discomfort during jaw movement.

3. Frequent Headaches

The pain of TMJ doesn’t restrict itself within the jaw. It can reach your head and result in recurring headaches that don’t go away easily. Headaches due to TMJ might primarily center near the temples. Tension in the jaw muscles can cause strain that reaches your head and neck.

4. Difficulty Chewing

One of the most common signs of TMJ disorder is pain or discomfort while eating chewy or hard foods. It might indicate joint misalignment and could worsen over time without TMJ treatment.

5. Facial Pain

As jaws are located near the cheeks or the ears, you might experience pain in these areas. Your inflamed TMJ muscles might cause them. This symptom often mimics sinus pain but persists even without sinus issues.

6. Ringing in the Ears (Tinnitus)

TMJ dysfunction can put pressure on nerves around the ears. As your ears are close to the TMJ, ear pain can also be a sign of TMJ disorder. Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears might also accompany the ear pain. These symptoms may worsen without treatment during jaw movements.

7. Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)

Most discussions on TMJ disorder shed light on the issue of teeth clenching or grinding. Often stems from stress and anxiety, teeth grinding at night can lead to TMJ issues. This habit can wear down your teeth and exacerbate your jaw joint problems.

8. Shoulder or Neck Pain

The pain of TMJ can extend to your neck and shoulders. A stiff neck or shoulders may signal jaw joint issues that require immediate attention.

TMJ disorders can significantly affect your daily life and long-term health. So it’s best to visit a local specialist as soon as you recognize signs of TMJ disorder. The earlier you get treatment for this, the more effective the treatment is. You can call us today to find relief from TMJ pain and regain your quality of life!