Temporomandibular joint disorders can be difficult to treat the longer you wait. That’s why it’s crucial to pinpoint early signs of TMJ disorder as early as possible.
Headaches and Earaches
When you notice you have ear discomfort and/or headaches frequently, it can be a symptom of having a TMJ disorder. This is because jaw muscles are connected to the neck and upper head, so this pain may spread to surrounding areas. This can mean pain at your temples or behind your eyes, ear pressure or aching outside of having an ear infection, and tension headaches. We regularly see people come into our clinic who have such issues.
Teeth Grinding
Our patients may find that they have issues with teeth grinding and clenching. This often manifests as soreness and stiffness in the jaw in the morning, greater tooth sensitivity, and headaches that start from the jaw muscles. There are several treatments we use as a first step, including night guards and stress management techniques.
Change to Jaw Alignment or Bite
Many of our patients notice that their teeth don’t meet like they used to and that they have trouble with chewing on one side of their mouths. Over time, jaw issues can make teeth and the jaw itself shift alignment. We recommend early intervention to correct alignment issues and keep our patients from experiencing chronic pain.
Locking of the Jaw
If your TMJ is healthy, you should have no restrictions in the movement of your jaw. If you have a stiff or tight jaw that feels as though it’s stuck and won’t allow you to open your mouth fully, it’s time to see a specialist. Avoid limits to eating and speaking by getting proper treatment to improve your jaw health.
Alarming Noises
You may have some noise come from your jaw when you move it. Though this is normal, you’ll want to look out for sounds like popping, clicking, and grating. This is especially a sign of a TMJ disorder if you also have restricted motion and pain that goes along with the noises. They point to displaced joint discs or inflammation in tissues. If you experience this, you may benefit from mouth appliances, physical therapy, or surgery if it’s determined to be more serious.
There are numerous causes of TMJ disorder. If you make an appointment with us at Spark Sleep Solutions, we can assess your symptoms and come up with a plan of action based on these causes. We serve patients in the San Ramon area and welcome new patients with TMJ symptoms. Be sure to make an appointment if you notice early signs of TMJ disorder.