TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction) refers to pain and inflammation in the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. It can be caused by injury, aging or stress, but many cases have no clear cause. Many people experience TMJ symptoms at some point in their lives, but they can usually be treated with self-care methods at home. However, it’s important to see a TMJ specialist if you experience these more severe symptoms on an ongoing basis. Here are some common signs that indicate you should see a TMJ specialist right away
You have Persistent Pain in Your Jaw
The most common symptoms of TMJ are pain in the joint, clicking and popping sounds when opening and closing your mouth, and tooth grinding. These symptoms can occur at any time but they’re more likely to happen when you’re stressed, which might be why it’s often called the silent killer. In many cases, treatment is needed. For example, there are plenty of ways that doctor might treat your problem
When You Move Your Jaw, It Pops or Clicks.
One of the first things you might notice about your jaw is that it pops or clicks when you move it in certain directions. You might also feel pain, clicking, or tenderness in one or more areas of your jaw. Some people who have these symptoms find that their symptoms are related to stress and muscle tension from clenching their teeth.
Other causes can include inflammation and infection, injury, or an underlying condition such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) or arthritis. It’s essential to schedule an appointment with a dentist or maxillofacial specialist straight soon if you experience any of these signs. The sooner you get treatment for your condition, the better your outcome will be.
You have Difficulty Chewing or Swallowing
Being unable to chew or swallow can be detrimental for your health. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important that you see a doctor ASAP. Your symptoms could be caused by an underlying medical condition and should not be ignored. Check on some things which might help you:
- Avoid hard foods such as raw vegetables or difficult-to-chew meats. Stick with softer fruits and vegetables, mashed potatoes, cream sauces, etc.
- Eat small meals more often (e.g., three meals instead of two) so that your jaw does not need to work as hard and is less likely to become fatigued.
You have Pain in Your Face, Neck, or Shoulders
If you’re having pain in your face, neck, or shoulders, it could be caused by temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This may come on suddenly as the result of an injury or accident. However, if there’s no injury and the pain doesn’t subside quickly, it’s possible that you have TMJ. The jawbone joints can become inflamed due to poor positioning and overuse. This can cause inflammation in other parts of the body as well. Severe cases of TMJ may require surgery and time off from work for recovery.
You have Headaches or Migraines
For some people, headaches or migraines are often caused by problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and can be relieved by seeing a TMJ specialist. The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint that connects the lower jawbone and upper jawbone at the side of your head. If you’re experiencing pain in your neck or face, it could be because of an injury to this area. A maxillofacial physician or dentist may prescribe medications for you, or recommend physical therapy exercises. If these treatments don’t work, they may recommend seeing an orthodontist or TMJ Specialist in Coimbatore.
You have Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Tinnitus is a condition that involves the perception of noise or ringing in one or both ears when no external sound is present. It can be an annoying and sometimes debilitating condition, but it’s fortunately fairly easy to treat with techniques like tinnitus retraining therapy. The first step in treating tinnitus is seeing a doctor who specializes in hearing disorders, called an otologist or an audiologist. These doctors will do tests and then offer you treatment options.
You are Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
It is important to see an orthodontist if you are experiencing pain in your jaws, neck or shoulders. You may be clenching or grinding your teeth at night and not even know it! It is also possible that you are clenching your teeth during the day. This can lead to headaches, neck pain and difficulty swallowing. Cracked teeth, gum recession and facial bruises are also common symptoms of this condition. The sooner you get help, the better chance you have of reducing the wear and tear on your mouth.
If you think that these symptoms sound like something you might be experiencing, contact an orthodontist in your area today!