Signs & Symptoms of TMJ Disease

Signs and symptoms may include the following:

• Biting or chewing difficulty
• Cracking, chipping, or wearing of teeth
• Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
• “Sticking”, “catching” or “locking” of the jaw
• Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
• Tenderness or pain in the cheek area
• Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
• Discomfort with talking or eating
• Shifting of the bite or teeth
• Headache / Migraines
• Trigeminal neuralgia pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Dull, aching pain in the face
• Gum recession
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Earaches
• Vertigo
• Fullness / Pressure in the ear

Stages of TMD / TMJ Disease

This disease goes through multiple stages of breakdown. Pain can come and go. TMD must be diagnosed and the cause must be identified to stop this disease. TMD will continue to get worse with time without intervention. We do everything we can to avoid surgery, so it is important to seek help when signs start to appear. Frequent headaches in the side of the head, down the face, and into the neck relate to sore chewing muscles. Popping and clicking or a grating sound, as well as pain in the ears, are signs of jaw joint problems. Broken and cracked teeth or noticeable wear, as well as grinding of teeth, are also part of this problem. Many times, with pain in the ears, a person seeks consultation from a physician known as an ENT. This doctor will rule out an inner ear infection. They may or may not know that it could be TMD.

Night Guards are Not the Solution

There are many people who are given night guards to try and help them feel better from headaches and TMD symptoms. These either make the problem worse or at best, have a minimal effect at relieving discomfort. They do not get to the cause of the problem and will cause further damage to the joints.

If you have the signs and symptoms of TMJ disease mentioned above, call to schedule a consultation today!