Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders: The possible reason behind your jaw pain

Posted on 3 January 2018

Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders: The possible reason behind your jaw pain Hero Image

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw and the joint acts like a sliding hinge, allowing you to move your jaw.

Did you know that dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMD) could be the cause of your chronic headaches, migraines and severe jaw pain?

TMD occurs when the jaw joint becomes misaligned and can lead to a range of uncomfortable symptoms including:

  • Headaches, migraines, facial or jaw pain
  • Back, neck and shoulder pain
  • Ringing in the ears and dizziness
  • Sensitive or sore teeth with difficulty when eating
  • Locking of the jaw joint, making it difficult to open and close your mouth
  • Pain or difficulty when chewing

You may experience persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw which will prevent you from opening your mouth or chewing properly. 

Why does TMD Occur? 

The misalignment of the jaw can occur when the small shock-absorbing disk (which sits between the cartilage covering the bones) erodes or moves out of its alignment. This lack of protection on the bones and cartilage prevents the otherwise smooth movements of the jaw.

It may also occur when the joint’s cartilage is damaged by arthritis or has been damaged through an injury. TMD can also be caused by an overbite, crossbite or underbite that puts pressure on the jaw joints.

Some people are at a higher risk of developing TMD and any pain of the jaw should be acknowledged and treated as soon as possible.

Factors that may increase the risk of TMD include:

  • Various types of arthritis can increase the risk of TMD due to the inflammation of joints.
  • Chronic grinding or clenching of teeth can lead to the jaw being misaligned which can lead to TMD
  • An injury to the jaw can damage the alignment and increase the risk of TMD

What to do if you are experiencing these symptoms?

At Australia Fair Dental Care, we provide effective treatment that will reduce and eliminate the pain of TMD. The treatment corrects the misalignment of the jaw at the TMJ. Eliminating the pain of TMD requires an involved treatment but it is very effective in alleviating the pain and discomfort.

Would you like to know more information? Follow this link to our TMD Treatment page or get in contact with us here.