Is TMJ Taking Its Toll? Our Elmhurst TMJ Dentists Help You Figure It Out

Written by Dr. Scharfenberg on Feb 10, 2016

TMJ disorder can be really difficult to live with. Our Elmhurst dentists understand this, which is why we work so hard to provide easy-to-use, effective TMJ treatment to our patients.

Today we are going to be reviewing some of the common symptoms of TMJ disorder. We hope that this information will help you determine whether or not you need to reach out to your dentist for help.

So your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) exist on the left and right sides of your jaw. The TMJs attach your lower jaw to your skull. If your TMJ becomes damaged or irritated, you might notice:

That you hear or feel a “popping” sensation when you move your jaw

This popping happens when your lower jaw is coming out of the socket in your upper jaw. The sensation may also manifest more as a “clicking” noise.

Jaw soreness and pain

Think about how many times a day you need to move your jaw—every time that you eat, drink, smile, and speak, you rely on your TMJs. So if your TMJ is out of whack, you’ll likely notice some discomfort and tension.

Limited jaw mobility

Many TMJ patients find that, over time, they find it difficult to open their mouths all the way. You may feel like your jaw “locks” in a specific place, and you may not be able to comfortably open your mouth to bite and chew.

If you notice any of these common TMJ problems, you should contact your dental team to schedule a consultation. Taking control of your TMJ issues will improve the quality of your daily life, and minimize your risk of further TMJ damage in the future.

If you have questions for our Elmhurst TMJ dentists, please give our office a call! We are here to help you combat persistent TMJ issues.