Patients who suffer from Temporomandibular Joint problems can deal with a number of additional oral health problems as a result. This is why it’s so important to seek prompt treatment when TMJ problems first pop up.
Today, our Elmhurst TMJ dentists are going to be reviewing a few of the lesser-known symptoms of TMJ troubles. We hope that this overview empowers you to take control of your oral health, and seek treatment for TMJ dysfunction should you need to.
Many people already know that TMJ dysfunction can cause your jaw to make popping and clicking noises; this condition can also lead to pain and discomfort. However, there also more nebulous TMJ-related issues, such as:
- Headaches—many TMJ sufferers deal with chronic headaches due to strain on their maxillofacial structures
- Ear pain—if your temporomandibular joint is poorly aligned or damaged, you may experience pain that radiates all the way up to your ears. What first seems like an ear infection may actually turn out to be related to jaw dysfunction.
- Tooth pain—as with ear pain, some TMJ sufferers first mistake TMJ-related discomfort for a damaged or infected tooth. Many people who deal with TMJ issues also exhibit bruxism, or chronic dental grinding. This condition can put immense pressure on your teeth and lead to dental discomfort.
- Premature dental wear—again, since TMJ disorder and bruxism go hand in hand, you may find that bite surfaces become worn down quickly.
When you are able to seek prompt treatment TMJ problems, you can minimize the long-term dental and maxillofacial structure damage that accompanies this disorder. Our Elmhurst TMJ dentists are here to answer any questions that you may have about TMJ problems as well as treatment options. So, please feel free to reach out to our team by phone or through our Contact Us page to get started!