What Are TMJ Disorders And How Do You Know You Have Them?

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint and it is the joint that hinges the lower jaw (also called the mandibula) to the skull. You have one on each side of your face, just slightly in front of the lower part of the ear. If there are disorders of the TMJ, they are conditions affecting the jaw joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments.

A physician or a dentist can help in diagnosing TMJ disorder. However, since TMJ condition is usually caused by tooth and jaw misalignment, the dentist usually sees them and dental treatments may apply.

If you have TMJ issues, they can affect your ability to open and close your mouth owing to discomfort or pain. Hence, your ability to speak, eat, chew, swallow, make facial expressions, or even breathe, may be difficult or uncomfortable.

So how do you know you have TMJ disorder? What are the symptoms?

One of the most common symptoms of a TMJ Disorder is pain. The pain is usually dull at the joint area and may include the ear. Sometimes there is no pain but a dysfunction.

Other symptoms of TMJ disorders can include pain in the neck even including the shoulders as jaw fatigue can run down to the muscles of the neck to your shoulders, and in some instances, including your back. There may be stiffness in the jaw muscles as well, and limited movement of the jaw. Some people may even experience locking of the jaw (also called ‘lockjaw’) whereby the person is unable to move their jaw until the joint is realigned. This situation sometimes does not have any clear cause, but it is associated with teeth clenching or grinding, and also trauma to the jaw. A lockjaw can be preceded by painful clicking, popping or grating in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth

Some other symptoms of TMJ condition are migraine and/or chronic headache, ear pain or pressure and/or ringing in the ears, including diminished hearing. Sometimes there are also dizziness and vision problems. You also might be experiencing an abnormal bite and also tooth sensitivity.

Many instances of TMJ problems resolve on their own without treatment. The problem dissipates in a few weeks when it does.

^Source

Experiencing TMJ Symptoms?

If you experience any of the above symptoms concerning your TMJ, pay us a visit at Lynnwood Song Dental. Lynnwood dentistry looks into TMJ health as well.