What Are the Most Prevalent Symptoms of TMJ?

Do you hear a popping sound when you open and close your mouth? Is your jaw sore in the morning? These are symptoms of TMJ, a condition that affects your jaw joints and the muscles around them. If left untreated, TMJ can get worse and even cause damage to your teeth and bone. What are the most common symptoms?

What Is TMJ?

Before we talk about symptoms, what exactly is TMJ? It’s also called TMD, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. Based on research, women tend to get this condition more than men, but anyone can develop it. Causes are not always obvious, but they include trauma, teeth grinding, arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases. Luckily, we can still treat TMJ even if we aren’t sure of the cause.

What Are the Most Prevalent Symptoms?

How do you know if you have TMJ? There are usually symptoms. Sometimes they’re mild and don’t disrupt your life too much, but other times they’re more severe. Here’s what to watch for:

• A clicking, popping sound in your jaw
• Trouble moving or opening your mouth
• Tenderness in your facial muscles
• Jaw stiffness, especially when you first wake up
• Aching in your jaw, face, and around your ears
• Pain when you chew
• Jaw locking
• Frequent headaches or migraines

How Do We Treat TMJ?

TMJ treatment varies. Physical therapy exercises at home stretch your jaw muscles and can relieve pain. Nightguards are also very helpful and help prevent your jaw from clenching while you sleep. If your case is severe, muscle relaxants or surgery might be needed.

Treating TMJ at Cherry Blossom Family Dentistry in Dallas & Ft. Worth

We diagnose and treat TMJ at our locations in Burleson, Dallas, and Keller! If you’re experiencing symptoms like jaw-clicking, pain, or headaches, please set up a consultation with Cherry Blossom Family Dentistry today. You can visit our friendly staff at Cherry Blossom Family Dentistry in Burleson, Highland Oaks Family Dentistry in Keller or Uptown Dental Studio in Dallas.