Temporomandibular joint disorders (called TMJ or TMD) are common conditions. These disorders affect the temporomandibular joints, which attach the jaw to the skull. However, many people with TMJ are undiagnosed. Unfortunately, doctors get little training in recognizing the symptoms of TMJ. Most dentists know little about it, too. This means that you have to be aware of the condition and its symptoms so you can get treatment.

Here are seven common TMJ symptoms that you should watch for. If you experience multiple symptoms from this list, you should talk to a TMJ dentist about it. They will be able to help you get a proper diagnosis and treatment, if necessary. 

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is one of the most common TMJ symptoms. Although it might not be the first TMJ symptom people experience, it’s often the one that gets people’s attention.

Because the jaw is a complicated system, TMJ-related jaw pain can be complicated, too. It often comes in three types: muscle pain, joint pain, and nerve pain. Muscle pain is a dull ache associated with tense, sore muscles. Jaw muscles run from the jaw, under the face, and all the way up to the temples behind the eyes, so jaw muscle pain might be called face pain or a headache.

Jaw joint pain is a sharper, more throbbing pain localized at one or both joints. Initially, this pain may be intermittent, but over time it becomes more long-lasting, and may eventually be constant.

Nerve pain occurs when the jaw or jaw muscles pinch or press against nerves. It usually causes a sharp, electric pain. Because nerves run past the jaw to other parts of the head and face, you might actually feel pain distant from where the nerve pinching takes place. With more persistent pressure on nerves, you might instead experience tingling or numbness.

Tooth Wear and Damage

One of the features of TMJ is an unbalanced bite. Our teeth are strong, capable of withstanding the pressure of biting and chewing, when it’s divided evenly. However, when you have TMJ, you might bite down with uneven force that is damaging to some of your teeth.

Some experience more chipped or cracked teeth, which is very noticeable. Others just notice their teeth have worn down gradually, which can create a lopsided facial appearance if the wear is uneven.

Jaw Sounds

A healthy jaw should move smoothly and silently. However, if you have TMJ, you might notice significant noise coming from your jaw joints. Often, this is because the cushioning disc in the joint is slipping in and out of place. This creates a sudden, single sound, often described as a pop or click.

However, as the condition worsens, the sound may change. Instead of a simple pop or click, you might hear a long, grinding sound, called crepitus. This is the sound of the bones in the joint grinding against each other. This is also the sound that your TMJ is worsening and you should seek rapid treatment.

Irregular or Limited Jaw Motion and Locked Jaw

Many people notice that their popping or clicking jaw is associated with a sudden jerky motion in the jaw. This is the motion caused by the cushioning disc slipping into or out of place.

Other people start to note that their jaw motion is limited. They can’t open their mouths as much as they used to be able to, or, at least, not without considerable pain. This might be related to the jaw joint or it could be associated with the jaw muscles.

Finally, an individual might have their jaw lock open or closed. This often happens because the cushioning disc slips out, but can’t fit back into place. Instead, it is blocking the motion of the jaw joint. This symptom needs urgent care from a dental professional who knows how to coax the disc back in place without damaging the joint.

Headaches

Headaches are very common in people with TMJ. We’ve already talked about how jaw muscle pain can be mistaken for a headache. Many tension headaches are caused by the jaw muscles.

However, TMJ can also lead to migraine headaches. The trigeminal nerve is the source of many migraines. This complex nerve not only controls the jaw muscles and receives pain signals from them, it’s interwoven with jaw muscles. Stressed or painful jaw muscles can overwhelm the trigeminal nerve with signals, causing it to set off a migraine. Other times, jaw muscles can put pressure on branches of the trigeminal nerve, leading to migraines.

Ringing in the Ears

The ears are very close to the temporomandibular joints. In fact, the inner structures of the ear are housed in the temporal bones of the skull, which is the “temporo” in the joint name here. In addition, your jaw muscles are connected to your ear and work with tiny muscles in there. Pressure from an unbalanced jaw joint or pulling by irregular jaw muscles can potentially lead to sounds that seem to come from nowhere. This is tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, even though the sound might be throbbing, roaring, or many other types of sound.

Dizziness or Vertigo

The inner ear is also a major contributor to your balance. If your inner ear is disturbed by bone pressure or muscle tension, it can disrupt the delicate balance system. As a result, you might feel dizzy or lose your balance.

Other ear symptoms are common, too, including earache and ear fullness. 

Looking for TMJ Treatment in San Diego?

Are you experiencing several of the symptoms above? If so, then it’s likely that you have TMJ. Fortunately, noninvasive TMJ treatment can offer quick, long-lasting relief from your symptoms. To get started with TMJ treatment in San Diego, please call (619) 656-6785 or use our online contact form to request an appointment at Irresistible Smiles in Chula Vista, CA.

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Have you experienced soreness in your jaw that led to a headache? Maybe you’ve had a toothache that soon became a migraine. Many symptoms and signs are actually formed from one root cause, temporomandibular disorder (TMD). There are multiple forms of TMD and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. If you experience any type of chronic pain in your jaw, head, teeth or face, it is best to see a doctor, dentist or TMJ specialist.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. When you damage or injure the joint, it leads to a localized pain disorder called TMJ syndrome or TMD. Since TMJ has only been recognized for several decades, it is still widely misunderstood. Dr. Shahin Safarian in San Diego is a neuromuscular dentistry expert who studies TMJ, its effects and its treatments to come up with the best solutions for you.

The Symptoms and Signs of TMJ

TMD develops over time due to a variety of causes. The symptoms also vary and could include one or both joints, headaches, earaches, and toothaches. Some people experience pain during activity while others experience pain while resting.

Jaw pain may include tenderness, tightness, difficulty chewing, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, locking of the joint or even muscle spasms. Other people have reported aching in the ears or around the ears accompanied by sounds of cracking, ringing or popping. Headaches, pain in the temple, migraines and blurred vision are common. We have also heard patients report aching facial pain, numbness, tingling, should pain, dizziness, and vertigo.

The Causes of TMJ

It’s often unclear exactly how TMD occurs, and even more unsure if symptoms are causes or results of the disease. That’s why it’s best to take a holistic approach to curing TMJ.

The TMJ is a sliding hinge, surrounded by cartilage and a small shock-absorbing disk that allows for smooth movement. Disk dislocation or erosion, damaged cartilage, or an injured joint could cause the disorder. Risk factors include arthritis, injury, chronic grinding or clenching of teeth and jaw, and connective tissue diseases. Tooth and jaw misalignment, poor posture, and stress could also lead to TMD.

Your Treatment Options for TMD

Different causes of TMD result in different treatment methods. Sometimes simple at-home remedies can treat TMD. Applying ice packs applied to the jaw and taking anti-inflammatory over-the-counter (OTC) drugs could help. Gentle stretching and stress reduction would benefit your holistic approach to solving your TMD. If the problem persists or worsens, consider medical treatment, such as tooth replacement with dental implants to realign the jaw.

Treatment varies case by case. You should seek help from your doctor, dentist or TMJ specialist if you have persistent pain or tenderness. With a range of symptoms, TMD is not a simple problem. Therefore, one solution does not fit everyone’s needs. Talk to the experts for help, such as San Diego’s own Dr. Safarian. An expert in neuromuscular dentistry with state-of-the-art technology, Dr. Safarian’s treatments are reversible and non-surgical.

Dr. Safarian’s Alternative TMJ Therapy

Dr. Safarian uses new and advanced Neuromuscular Dentistry to relax the upper and lower jaw into working together in harmony. Our offices use computer-generated electromyography (EMG) to measure how your jaw muscles are working during contractions and relaxation. We work to retrain the jaw from its exact position so it realigns naturally.

Up to 90% of Dr. Safarian’s patients see improvements within a month. As a comprehensive approach, we work with chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists to benefit your overall health. Dr. Safarian himself has suffered from TMD and has experienced the benefits of his treatment first-hand.

You Don’t Have To Suffer From TMD

You could experience relief from a skilled neuromuscular dental professional with the latest technology in TMD treatment. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Safarian or call a convenient office location in Chula Vista at (619) 656-6785.

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a disease of the jaw nerves and muscles caused by damage to the temporomandibular joint. The temporomandibular joint is the link between the jawbone and the skull.

When this joint is damaged or tampered, it can lead to disarray called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome which leads to pain with clicking, chewing and popping of the jaw, tooth grinding (bruxism), and inflammation on the sides of the face, nerve uneasiness, headaches, Eustachian tube dysfunction and sometimes disruption of the temporomandibular joint.

What Are The Risk Factors for TMJ Syndrome?

There are numerous risk factors for TMJ syndrome:

• Poor posture of the neck and upper back muscles may lead to spraining of neck and abnormalities of jaw muscle role.
• Stress may increase jaw clamping and muscle tension.
• Women between 18-44 years of age are more prone to risk.
• Patients with prolonged inflammatory arthritis have amplified risk.
• People with poorly positioned teeth or jaw trauma are prone to TMJ.
• People who have a genetic disposition to pain sensitivity and increased anxiety responses may be more vulnerable.

What causes TMJ Syndrome?

The causes of TMJ syndrome are not completely assumed.

Multiple factors contribute to the muscle stiffness and dysfunction that portray this condition.

It is not clear if some of these root causes directly lead to TMJ syndrome or if they are a consequence of the ailment.

Causes may include

• trauma to or misalignment (malocclusion) of the teeth or jaw,
• teeth grinding (bruxism),
• poor posture,
• anxiety or stress,
• inflammatory musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis,
• Excessive gum chewing.

What Are TMJ Syndrome Signs and Symptoms?

The main sign of TMJ syndrome is discomfort in the jaw joint.

This joint is located just in front of the ear and pain associated with this may encompass the eye, face, forehead, ear or neck.

Signs and symptoms of TMJ syndrome include:

• clicking/popping of the jaw
• ear pain, headache
• ringing or popping noises in the ears (tinnitus)
• blurred vision
• tight, sore or stiff jaw or neck muscles
• Pain, swelling or a lump in the temple area

What is the treatment for TMJ syndrome?

Many symptoms of TMJ syndrome can react well to home remedies or stress reduction and relaxation techniques.

This syndrome often retorts to home remedies including:

• Ice packs to the joint,
• Eating soft diets,
• Avoiding chewing gum,
• Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs),
• Reflexology of the jaw and neck and stress reduction.

When home remedies are not operational, medical therapies may be necessary. These include:

• Dental splint, a dental equipment that is placed in the mouth that keeps the teeth in position and prevents tooth grinding
• Botox installations
• Prescription medications

Dr. Shahin Safarian is a TMJ Specialist and expert in neuromuscular dentistry providing temporomandibular joint dysfunction therapy to patients in San Diego. Contact Now for a free consultation!

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