If you have TMJ disorder, you may experience painful side effects such as headaches or difficulty opening your jaw fully. Our dentist at Sydney is here to help you recognize the symptoms of TMJ disorder.
About TMJ Disorder
Head and neck pain or problems with the jaw are quite common issues that can have a straightforward solution or be more complicated and caused by various factors. One such problem is jaw pain, which is commonly known as "TMJ," but correctly referred to as TMD or Temporomandibular Disorder. Depending on the situation, it can be a challenging and frustrating issue to deal with and treat.
Symptoms Of TMJ Pain
- Headache / Migraine
- Jaw joint pain
- Limited mouth opening
- Ear congestion
- Dizziness
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loose teeth
- Sleep apnea
- Clenching or grinding
- Jaw joint clicking or popping
- Chewing difficulties
- Eye pain, ear pain
- Postural problem - neck, and back pain
- Tingling of the fingers
- Hot and cold-sensitive teeth
- Nervousness or insomnia
- Facial pain
How Can All Of These Symptoms Be Related To The Teeth And Bite?
The lower jaw has two joints, called Temporomandibular Joints (TMJs), located in front of the ears. You can feel them moving down and forward when you open your mouth and touch in front of your ears. These joints are held in place by ligaments, muscles, and tendons.
If the bite is not properly aligned due to an injury or prolonged bad positioning, it can cause pain in the TMJ. This pain can lead to ear pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, and back pain due to referred pain. This happens when the complex nerves and delicate muscles around the joint are not in balance.
Possible Causes Of TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions. The parts of the bones that interact in the joint are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which normally keeps the movement smooth. Painful TMJ disorders can occur if:
- The disk erodes or moves out of its proper alignment
- The joint's cartilage is damaged by arthritis
- The joint is damaged by a blow or other impact
In many cases, however, the cause of TMJ disorders isn't clear, and some risk factors include various types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, jaw injury, chronic grinding of teeth, and connective tissue disease.
Treatment For TMJ Disorder
At Mayflower Dental, we treat TMJ pain by considering its duration and severity. We have two options to choose from: either alleviate the pain temporarily or address the root cause of the problem. Our approach is based on psychology.