What You Should Know About TMJ Pain

TMJ (temporo-mandibular joint) is the joint that acts as a sliding hinge, connecting your jaw bone to  your skull.

TMJ disorders, also known as TMD, can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.

The cause of a person’s TMJ disorder can vary person to person.  Your pain can be caused by many factors, including genetics, arthritis, or jaw injury.

However, we often see TMJ pain that relates to a misaligned bite, a retruded jaw (caused by injury or past dental work), or grinding and clenching.

It is important to let us evaluate your situation in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment recommendations.

TMJ signs and symptoms may include:

• pain or tenderness of your jaw
• pain in one or both of the temporomandibular joints
• pain in or around your ear
• ringing in your ear
• a feeling of “fullness” in your ear
• tingling in your fingertips
• headaches
• aching facial pain
• locking of the joint, making it difficult to open or close your mouth
• clicking or popping in one or both joints (currently or in the past)
• grinding feeling in on or both joints
• muscle tenderness around the jaw joint or chewing muscles
• wear on your front teeth, which can include chipping if wear is severe

If you have any of the above signs or symptoms, reach out to our office for a consultation so we can discuss your particular situation.