Jaw Pain? Five Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is what allows you to talk, chew, swallow, and perform other daily functions. When there is an issue with your TMJ, it can have a huge impact on your daily activities. TMJ disorder can be caused by bite alignment issues, tooth grinding, arthritis, or trauma to the jaw. Treating TMJ disorder depends on the cause and severity of the issue. Today, we want to share five of the common symptoms of TMJ disorder to help you understand the reasons for your jaw pain.
1.Pain or Tenderness in Jaw
Jaw pain and tenderness is one of the more common symptoms of TMJ disorder. While TMJ pain does occasionally go away on its own, it may require professional treatment to restore normal function to your jaw.
2. Difficulty Chewing
TMJ disorder can make the normal use of your jaw difficult or even impossible. If you have a hard time moving your jaw to chew or find the pressure from chewing incredibly painful, you may be experiencing TMJ disorder.
3. Earache or Ear Pain
TMJ pain isn’t just limited to the jaw. In fact, pain from the TMJ can radiate around your face and neck. Earaches are a common symptom of TMJ disorder.
4. Facial Pain
If you notice pain and pressure in your face, TMJ disorder may be the culprit.
5. Popping, Clicking, or Locking Jaw
TMJ disorder impacts the ability of your jaw to function normally. If your jaw is clicking, popping, or locking up, this may be a sign that you are experiencing TMJ disorder.
At Curtis Family Dentistry, the way we treat TMJ disorder depends on several issues. First, our team works to pinpoint the cause of your TMJ pain. Then, we can identify the proper treatment to ease pain and restore the normal function of your jaw. Treatments range from orthodontics to oral appliances and surgical intervention. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next appointment, call our office today!