Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head SC
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder may occur when your jaw joints misalign. Left untreated, TMJ disorder can lead to discomfort, pain and even interfere with your ability to enjoy life. Pain is the most common symptom of TMJ disorder, although it can show up in unexpected ways, often overlooked by general practitioners or dentists. Dr. Chris Mohler is a neuromuscular dentist in Beaufort that diagnoses and treats TMJ disorder. Take a look at the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder to see if you could benefit from a consultation with Dr. Mohler.
It is important to note that some of these symptoms may indicate another serious health issue or dental problem.
Therefore, we recommend getting checked by your Beaufort dentist to know for sure. Common TMJ disorder symptoms include, but are not limited to:
- Jaw joint pain, or tenderness
- Neck, back, or arm pain
- Tingling hands or fingers
- Frequent headaches or migraines
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Facial swelling (specifically around the jaw joints)
- Ear pain
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Dizziness
- A stuffy feeling in the ears
- Hearing problems
- Difficulty opening or closing your jaw
- Clicking or popping sounds when moving your jaw
- Difficulty chewing hard or chewy food
- Pain or discomfort when biting or closing your mouth
- Bruxism (clenching and grinding your teeth)
In severe, chronic cases of untreated TMJ disorder, sufferers may experience depression from feeling unwell enough to participate in social activities. Insomnia may also develop because the sufferer cannot rest well while experiencing chronic pain. Therefore, it is essential to discuss with your Beaufort TMJ dentist any health issues you experience.
How TMJ Disorder causes pain
One may wonder how TMJ disorder results in headaches, neck or back pain, or tingling and numbness in the arms and fingers. Pain has a way of traveling throughout the body due to the inner workings of our nervous system. Nerves run throughout our bodies, sending impulses to the brain, signaling for help when an area of the body is compromised. The body responds with inflammation as an attempt to heal the area. However, when a chronic issue persists, damage to the area may occur. Blood flow restriction is also possible, which slows the healing process. In cases of TMJ disorder, teeth may hurt due to uneven pressure being distributed among the remaining teeth. Additionally, headaches or even arm and hand pain may occur due to referred pain signals sent by the nervous system when the jaw joint becomes inflamed.
How TMJ disorder affects the ears
The jaw joints are located close to the ears. As inflammation builds in the jaw joints as a result of TMJ disorder, your ears may retain fluid, affecting your ability to hear clearly, and causing balance issues or dizziness. You could have TMJ disorder if you experience ear trouble absent of any other explanation (like a cold, allergies, or water in your ears).
Am I at risk of TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder may occur in any individual, regardless of age, although it affects women more often than men. There are other risk factors of TMJ disorder.
You may be more likely to develop jaw joint issues if you have:
- Arthritis
- Untreated bruxism
- Jaw or facial injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- Misaligned bite or malocclusion
- Facial deformities
If you are vulnerable to developing TMJ disorder, be sure to see your dentist regularly for a bite analysis and assessment of how your teeth come together. You should also be on the lookout for changes in your bite, and report these changes to Dr. Mohler.
TMJ Disorder Screening in Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head
It’s time to live pain-free and put an end to your TMJ disorder. Seek relief today! Begin by scheduling a consultation with Chris Mohler, DDS. You can reach our office by calling (843) 522-1442 or complete a Contact Form.