Your jaw hurts. Your partner complains about the sound of you grinding your teeth in the night. You may have temporomandibular joint syndrome.
TMJ, as this syndrome is commonly referred to, is insidious. It is a persistent problem for as many as 10 million Americans. It is painful, but because it doesn’t seem as urgent as a cracked tooth or other “serious” dental problems, it can go untreated for a long time.
There is a treatment for TMJ. If you know the signs of TMJ, you can treat this pesky jaw problem quickly and as painlessly as possible.
Below, we are going to highlight for you the top five signs you may have TMJ. Read on to see if any of these symptoms apply to you and how you can get help for them.
5 Signs of TMJ Not to Ignore
You may think you know what is and is not TMJ. You may think if your jaw is not clicking then your problem must be something else.
It is true, a clicking jaw is one sign of TMJ, and we cover that below. But there are others you may not be aware of, and we will open your eyes to what they are now.
1. You Are Grinding Your Teeth
Bruxism is another word for teeth grinding. For people with TMJ, it does not just occur overnight. Many patients with TMJ also find themselves grinding their teeth at random times during the day.
2. You Hear Pops and Clicks in Your Jaw
This is the symptom of TMJ many people know. Your jaw feels out of alignment and clicks frequently, especially when you open and close your mouth. These are not just normal sounds.
3. Your Head Hurts
TMJ causes headaches. It makes sense. You can’t spend that much time overworking your jaw and grinding your teeth without it going to your head, literally.
TMJ headaches feel like tension headaches and radiate into your jaw. They present a problem you cannot just floss away.
4. You Have Blurry Vision
You might not think to talk to your dentist because of blurry vision. But blurry vision can be a link in the TMJ chain. Jaw problems cause headaches, which can affect your vision.
5. Your Ears Are Ringing
Here is another body part you might not associate with dental problems. But just like blurry vision, ringing in the ears can present as a symptom of TMJ. Especially when it occurs with other symptoms, tinnitus with no seeming cause can point to TMJ.
Enjoy Relief from TMJ Today
Treating TMJ starts with recognizing the signs of TMJ. By paying attention to your body, you can start to notice whether or not these seemingly unrelated symptoms are occurring together. If they are, it might be time to see a TMJ specialist.
There is ample help for people suffering from TMJ. For more information, check out our TMJ treatment services.