When Sarah came into our Elmhurst dental office, she was in great pain and unable to eat and smile normally. Sarah had many of the classic symptoms of TMJ dysfunction; she suffered from jaw soreness, limited jaw mobility, and sore/tense facial muscles. For months Sarah had simply put up with the pain, unaware that there was a name for what she was experiencing.
Patients with TMJ problems often feel that their symptoms are mysterious and difficult to diagnose. When Sarah spoke with our Elmhurst TMJ dentists she wanted to know, how did my TMJ problems start in the first place?
The truth is TMJ problems can be caused by a number of dental injuries and problems. The more you, as a patient, know about the causes of TMJ disorder, the more proactive you can be preventing and treating TMJ pain in your own life.
Accidents/Trauma
If you’ve sustained an injury to your mouth or face or been in a force related accident (such as car accident that results in whiplash) you may develop problems with your temporomandibular joint.
Stress-Related Pain
Patients under excessive stress may find that their facial joints and muscles become sore and strained. This can contribute to jaw pain and headaches associated with TMJ.
Teeth Grinding
If you regularly grind or clench your teeth, you may put pressure on your temporomandibular joint. Over time this pressure can irritate and inflame the joint and surrounding muscles—causing pain.
Additionally, patients suffering from arthritis or osteoarthritis may find that their arthritis pain manifests in the temporomandibular region.
The good news is that there are treatments available for patents living with TMJ pain! Give our Elmhurst TMJ dental office a call for more information or to schedule an appointment. There’s no reason to suffer with TMJ symptoms alone, we can help you understand and treat this common condition.