Is your jaw causing you pain? Did you know that this could mean your joints aren’t functioning properly? If your jaw hurts or feels tight, you might have temporomandibular joint disease (TMJ).
You need to see a doctor if your pain fails to fade away. A good dentist Falls Church, VA, can help you identify whether your jaw pain is due to TMJ or another condition. You can feel more comfortable and stop your condition from getting worse if you know what to look for early on. The first step to getting good care is to know what to look for.
The Start of Recurring Jaw Pain or Rigidity
If your ears or cheeks hurt or feel tight, especially if it happens a lot, you may have:
- Discomfort when talking, eating, or first thing in the morning, that is worse
- Long-term tension on the joint might happen if you grind, clench, or bite in a way that isn’t straight.
- To have challenges eating or feeling pain when you try to open your mouth wide
- Jaw pain that won’t go away and makes it hard to perform usual duties
A dentist in Falls Church notes that these signs may indicate that the joint has been strained or under excessive tension for some time.
The Sound of Clicking or Grinding
Your TMJ is probably shifting if you hear unusual sounds when you move your mouth, and this is caused by discs moving or joints that aren’t lined up right. They might begin before anything else does. All of these symptoms might also indicate that your cartilage has weakened or that your joints are not properly aligned.
Difficulty Mouth Opening/Closing
If your jaw is “stuck,” your joints may be malfunctioning. Locking episodes may make it difficult to open or close the jaws temporarily. This may make eating, talking, and other daily tasks difficult. One side of your jaw may tighten or catch. This may make your jaw uncomfortable and alter its alignment with your body.
Getting Headaches or Pain in the Temples a Lot
A tight jaw can make your forehead or temples hurt. These types of headaches often look like additional issues, but they are truly caused by biting down too hard or not lining up the mouth properly. They appear regularly in the morning or when you’re feeling stressed. Some people may feel a nagging pain or throb around their temples. It feels like a headache from either stress or your sinuses.
Pain, Ringing, or Pressure in the Ears Without Inflammation
Since the TMJ is close to the ear canal, pain in the joint may make your ears feel odd. These could be a sharp pain, a feeling of being full, or a ringing sound you can’t explain. There may be symptoms even when there are no signs of an ear infection or illness. Some people notice that their jaw joint hurts before they go to the ear doctor in Falls Church.
Falls Church has Expert Help for TMJ
Falls Church dental offices use scans, thorough jaw exams, bite position checks, and muscle tension tests to find the source of pain and custom treatment for each patient. People who grind or clench their teeth usually get custom mouthpieces to help them stop. They may also get stretches, stress management, or, in the worst cases, advice to see a doctor.
Finding signs early might help lower the chance of joint pain that lasts. If there are problems with the TMJ, a dentist may look at it and suggest the best course of action. Quick examination not only helps with discomfort, but it also puts less stress on the jaw.
