When your temporomandibular joint is healthy, you most likely don’t even notice all of the things that it does for you every day. The TMJ allows you to speak comfortably, smile, and speak. However, when your TMJ is somehow damaged or misaligned, you may notice a wide variety of mouth, head, neck, and jaw problems. Keep your eyes open for these signs of TMJ problems, as the sooner you identify and begin to treat TMJ dysfunction, the better off you’ll be.
TMJ disorder can manifest in a number of ways. The most straightforward sign that you are experiencing TMJ disorder, is a sore or aching jaw. Jaw pain may also be accompanied by strange clicking or popping sensations in the jaw. If you happen to notice that your jaw is sore and/or popping in and out of place, let your dentist know right away.
TMJ disorder can also cause pain and discomfort that manifests away from the jaw joint. Patients with TMJ problems often suffer from severe headaches. This is because the misaligned or damaged TMJ is causing muscle and skeletal fatigue that radiates up to the head. You may also suffer from neck and shoulder pain.
If you notice that you are grinding your teeth, you should talk to your dentist about TMJ disorder. Dental grinding is a sign of TMJ problems, and TMJ disorder actually exacerbates dental grinding. Over time, dental grinding will cause your teeth to wear down and become weaker.
You don’t have to live indefinitely with the struggles of TMJ disorder. Our Elmhurst TMJ dentist office provides simple to use treatment solutions that treat TMJ problems without disrupting your life. To find out more, or to schedule your own consultation, please contact our dental team—either by phone, or by submitting a question on our website.