What Are the Symptoms of TMJ? And What Treatments Are There?

by | Dec 7, 2022 | Dental Care | 0 comments

TMJ treatment

Jaw pain. Headaches. Earaches. These are just some of the more common symptoms of TMJ disorder (which is frequently referred to simply as TMJ).

TMJ is common. Between 5 and 12% of Americans have it at any given time. It is more prevalent in people between the ages of 20 and 40, and women suffer from it more frequently than men. But what exactly is TMJ, and what can you do to rid yourself of the discomfort it causes?

 

What Is TMJ?

On either side of your face and just in front of your ears are two joints. They are the temporomandibular joints, which are named after the Latin words for temple and jaw. “Temporomandibular joint” is abbreviated as “TMJ.”

The TMJs connect the lower jawbone to the skull. They are essential to chewing and speaking, but sadly, like many other joints in your body, your TMJs are prone to dysfunction.

There is no single identified symptom or cause of TMJ. As a medical term it is something of a catch-all, as it is diagnosed when any problem results in pain, discomfort, or some other symptom associated with malfunction of one or both TMJs.

 

What Are the Symptoms of TMJ?

We introduced this article with the three symptoms people with TMJ experience most often: jaw pain, headaches and earaches. But these are far from TMJ’s only symptoms. If you experience any of the following, the culprit may be TMJ:

  • Tooth pain
  • Facial swelling or fatigue
  • Neck and/or shoulder pain
  • Locking of the jaw in open or closed position
  • Any change in the way your teeth fit together
  • Difficulty chewing or opening your mouth wide
  • Popping, clicking or other sounds while moving the jaw
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears, named after the Latin word for bell)

What Causes TMJ?

As mentioned earlier, “TMJ” is a catch-all diagnosis for any condition which causes any of the aforementioned symptoms. As such, there is no single cause of TMJ. If you experience its symptoms, the cause could be one or more of the following factors:

  • Injury
  • Stress
  • Arthritis
  • Incorrect bite alignment
  • Grinding or clenching of the teeth (i.e. bruxism)
  • Dislocation of the disc which prevents the two TMJ bones from grinding against one another

How Do You Know if You Have TMJ?

If you suspect you have TMJ, it is important to have it professionally diagnosed before you pursue treatment for it. TMJ is typically diagnosed by dentists during their patients’ regular checkups. The dentist studies the range of motion of the patient’s jaw, presses on various parts of their face to determine where the discomfort originates, and palpates the region surrounding their mouth.

Formal testing is often needed to determine the extent of the damage to one or both TMJs. This often includes diagnostic imaging such as dental X-rays, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Any of these imaging techniques can provide a dentist or doctor with a clear picture of what is going on inside their patient’s TMJs without need for incision.

 

How Can You Treat TMJ?

Graciously, most cases of TMJ are temporary and do not require invasive treatment. If you are experiencing TMJ, then you may find relief from any of the following mild treatments:

  • Apply a cold pack to the side of your face.
  • Eat softer foods to minimize the amount of strain on your TMJs.
  • Perform stretching exercises, applying a warm washcloth to your face afterward.
  • Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, etc.).
  • Wear a splint during the day and/or night guard to help readjust your bite to correct position.
  • Receive corrective dental treatments to restore correct bite position, such as braces, bridges or crowns.

If serious pain, discomfort and loss of jaw mobility persists after you have attempted mild treatment for TMJ, you may ask your dentist or doctor about undergoing a non-invasive procedure such as ultrasound, radio wave therapy, acupuncture or Botox. If TMJ symptoms persist, you may explore surgical intervention. Arthroscopy, arthrocentesis or open-joint surgery may effectively treat a case of TMJ which milder treatments failed to remedy.

Do you have symptoms of TMJ and need a dentist in Logan, Utah? Then we welcome you to contact All About Teeth to schedule your initial consultation today. Dr. Corey Hogge and our team are always standing by to ensure that you enjoy your absolute best dental health!