Do You Have TMJ? 3 Symptoms Not to Ignore

Have you ever had pain in your jaw? Ever had difficulty chewing? If so, it is possible that you had temporomandibular joint disorder, or commonly known as TMJ. These joints are found on both sides of your jaw, and you can experience a lot of pain and discomfort if you develop a disorder in this area. But while there are many symptoms when you have TMJ, knowing what to look for can be difficult and confusing. Many symptoms are related to other health concerns, so you might struggle to determine if TMJ is the true culprit to your pain or discomfort. In this post, we’ll discuss three important symptoms of TMJ that shouldn’t be ignored, and what to do when these symptoms are troubling you.

Although it’s very common to experience pain when you have TMJ, it becomes serious when this pain doesn’t go away or if it becomes worse. If you’re dealing with any sort of pain in your jaw or mouth, it’s best to seek a medical professional for a checkup. They can assess the situation and offer the best treatment for your specific needs. If you indeed have TMJ, a medical expert can provide proper treatment to expedite the healing process. But if you've already undergone a treatment regimen for TMJ and the pain comes back or gets worse, it’s vital that you call your doctor right away. If left untreated, TMJ can lead to more complications that have long-lasting effects on your health. How can you tell when the pain is too much? If the pain is very annoying and it’s limiting your normal everyday activities, that’s when it's time to call the doctor. Another sign to look out for occurs when opening and closing your mouth. If you have a great deal of pain when you eat or talk, it’s time to seek medical care.

Another symptom that might lead to developing TMJ is when you’re having problems chewing food. While allergies, colds, injuries, and sleeping can cause pain in the jaw, this usually goes away quickly. But when jaw pain persists for days on end, you might have developed TMJ. However, it can be hard to determine if you have this condition. If you have problems chewing food and opening and closing your mouth, pay attention to your symptoms and be sure to seek medical care if the pain gets worse or doesn’t go away in a few days. To expedite the process, you can try opening and closing your mouth to stretch these muscles. This can sometimes ease these tight joints and muscles, sometimes making the recovery process a little smoother. Another symptom to look out for is if you have an uncomfortable bite. This is sometimes noticed when your top teeth don’t seem to fit properly with your bottom teeth.

While jaw pain and problems chewing are good indicators that you may have TMJ, headaches are a symptom that can be caused by a wide variety of problems. If you’re constantly having persistent headaches, TMJ might be the culprit. Typically these headaches are accompanied with jaw pain, neck stiffness, or problems chewing, but that isn’t always the case. The temporomandibular joint is connected to various muscles and nerves that connect to our heads. When you develop issues with these joints, it’s very common to have headaches that won’t seem to go away. These headaches can be excruciating and can interfere with daily activities. If not treated quickly, these headaches can become more extreme, and you can develop more complications that are more painful and worrisome. If you’re noticing persistent headaches with no logical explanation, be sure to contact your doctor for a checkup.

If you suspect that you or your child has TMJ, then be sure to call Ascent Dental Care for assistance. We have successfully diagnosed hundreds of cases of TMJ and have found dependable treatment for our patients’ needs. With three locations in the Longmeadow, MA area, we’re here to help those in the entire surrounding area. From dental cleanings to effective TMJ treatment services, we’re here to offer outstanding dental care. Contact us today to make an appointment!