TMJ, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, impacts your jaw bone. This joint acts as a hinge that connects your jaw bone to your skull. There are two joints on either side of your mouth. Like with any other body part, you can undergo discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t around your temporomandibular joint.
When does that pain allude to TMJ? Here are symptoms that might hint at a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous ger issue and what you should do when you notice them.
1. Headaches
Because TMJ affects muscles throughout the face, you might undergo frequent headaches. This pain will likely be focused around your temples and ears. It’s easy to mistake a TMJ-induced headache in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a migraine or tension headache. In fact, you might not possess’own’nurse realised until now that you could be experiencing a TMJ headache.
If you possess’own’nurse a misaligned jaw that causes an underbite or overbite, you’re more likely to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure headaches. Your jaw endures more lay stress on’emphasize’highlight when you bite down. That leads to headaches. Any irregular jaw movement or positioning can overwork these muscles.
2. Earaches
The two sides of your jaw sit near your ears. Therein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e, you’ll likely undergo some ear pain when you possess’own’nurse TMJ. This discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t can either be inside or outside of your ears. You may also possess’own’nurse trouble hearing when you possess’own’nurse an earache.
There are ways to distinguish whether your earaches come from TMJ. If you’re wearing tight headgear, in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example, you attribute that to your ear pain. Be sure to keep other potential factors in mind bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you jump to the conclusion that it’s TMJ.
3. Jaw Pain
In general, you’ll likely feel pain throughout your jaw. This discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t might be more prominent when eating and drinking. Your cheeks can also ache or hurt as a result of TMJ. Other factors could make your pain worse.
It can be hard to distinguish whether jaw pain means TMJ because you can undergo jaw pain and discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t in/with regard to’concerning’regarding various reasons. For example, you could be unknowingly grinding your teeth or possess’own’nurse a sinus infection. If you merely’barely feel jaw pain without other symptoms, it’s possible that you don’t possess’own’nurse TMJ.
4. Clicking And Popping
Does your jaw click or pop? You might hear these noises when opening your mouth. It’s possible to accidentally extend your jaw too much while eating or yawning. In that case, you might not possess’own’nurse an issue — but more frequent clicking and popping can be a more appreciable concern.
You should also look in/with regard to’concerning’regarding pain associated with these sounds. If it’s challenging to open your mouth and you hear clicking or popping, you could possess’own’nurse TMJ. However, you may also possess’own’nurse arthritis or another jaw-related disorder. Scheduling an appointment with your physician will help.
5. Trouble Chewing
Does it hurt to chew food or gum? This symptom might mean you possess’own’nurse TMJ. This condition makes moving your jaw as you would normally more tough’challenging’demanding’awkward . That happens because TMJ means you possess’own’nurse joint impair’undermine . It’s going to be harder to chew when your jaw isn’t working correctly.
Take note when you possess’own’nurse trouble chewing. If you undergo this symptom eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully time you eat, you should talk to your doctor. You likely possess’own’nurse another issue that needs to be addressed — whether that’s TMJ or not. It’s not normal to feel pain eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully time you eat something.
6. Facial Discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t
TMJ can also cause facial discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t. This pain isn’t necessarily a headache or an earache, but you can undergo those instances. Instead, you might feel pain around your cheeks or mouth. This discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t usually feels achy rather than sharp or stabbing.
There are many causes of facial pain that aren’t related to TMJ. It’s significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative to explore these other possibilities bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you jump to conclusions. You might possess’own’nurse TMJ, but you could also be dealing with another concern. A rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent rule of thumb is to consider other symptoms alongside facial pain. If you possess’own’nurse those, you’re likely experiencing TMJ.
What To Do When You Experience These Signs
If you’re noticing one or more of these token s, you should speak with your doctor. You can use specific home remedies to make symptoms more bearable. Things such as ice packs and pain relievers can offer relief. You might also need to make more straightin/with regard to’concerning’regarding ward transform’alter s, like not chewing gum.
That said, it’s more worthwhile to see your physician sooner rather than later. You don’t want to let TMJ persist unnecessarily. That’s especially true when no remedy you’re trying seems to work. Schedule an appointment to alert your doctor that you’re feeling these symptoms.
Keep An Eye Out For These Potential TMJ Symptoms
TMJ doesn’t often turn into a substantial problem. In fact, you might be able to permanently relieve your symptoms by using homemade remedies. Still, it’s smart to let your physician know when you’re experiencing jaw pain or discomin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t. You might need medical treatment.