How to Know When You Have TMJ Disorder

Having TMJ disorder isn’t something that’s always obvious. In fact, many people who have it and suffer from its symptoms don’t know that TMJ disorder is the cause of them. This can be due to many reasons, such as the fact that the symptoms of TMJ disorder aren’t always the same for everyone. Some symptoms may not even seem directly related to your jaw or oral health, making it even more challenging to identify their cause. Today, we look at a few ways in which you can know if you might have TMJ disorder, and the types of symptoms that it might be responsible for.

The aching and discomfort

TMJ disorder describes damage, misalignment, dysfunction, or other types of problems with your jaw joints (which are known as temporomandibular joints, or TMJs). This damage can come from a variety of sources, such as an injury or exposure to excessive, uneven bite pressure. When it occurs, TMJ disorder can negatively impact your oral health and bite function in a variety of ways, including causing various forms of aches and pains throughout your head, neck, and face. These can include chronic headaches and migraines, as well as jaw pain, earaches, and more.

The difficulty biting and chewing

When your TMJs have difficulty moving together, they can make it more difficult and/or painful to bite and chew with them. This is due to the joints’ inability to open, close, and move in tandem, which can force your jawbone and oral structures to compensate and struggle to keep your bite straight. You might also experience popping or clicking sensations in your TMJs when you open and close your jaw, and the discomfort can continue to grow worse the longer your TMJ disorder remains untreated.

The results of your dental exam

Because TMJ disorder can lead to such a wide variety of symptoms, some patients may have trouble identifying theirs even if they know what TMJ disorder is. Fortunately, sticking a routine schedule of preventive dental exams and cleanings, you have a better chance of detecting the problem and treating it early. During each preventive visit, your dentist will thoroughly inspect your teeth, oral tissues, and oral structures for signs of trouble. These may include signs that your bite isn’t function properly, and whether TMJ disorder is the likely reason why.

Find out if you have TMJ disorder

TMJ disorder isn’t always to identify, even when one or more of its symptoms become severe. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling Modern Smile in North Hollywood, CA, today at 818-763-9353. We also proudly serve patients who live in Burbank, Toluca Lake, and all surrounding communities.