4 Signs You May Have a TMJ Disorder

If your jaw muscles are frequently sore or pop when you open your mouth, it’s time to contact your McKinney family dentist of choice, Dr. Paul Lawrence at McKinney Smiles. From aches and pains in your jaw muscles to teeth grinding, TMJ disorders can cause a host of dental issues. Read on to learn more about the most common signs and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction and disorders and how McKinney Smiles can help.

What is a TMJ Disorder?

First, it’s important to distinguish the difference between TMJ and TMD. TMJ stands for your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), a ball and socket hinge at the back of your jaw. Everyone has two TMJs, one on each side of your face and positioned just in front of your ears. Your TMJs connect your lower jawbone to your skull and help you chew and speak.

TMJ Versus TMD

TMD, however, refers to TMJ disorder or dysfunction – conditions that affect your jaw joints as well as the surrounding muscles and ligaments. The Cleveland Clinic estimates that between 5% and 12% of the general adult population have some form of TMJ disorder. Also, TMD is twice as common in women than men and people between the ages of 20 and 40 are most likely to develop it.

Common Signs and Symptoms

While TMJ disorders can cause a variety of symptoms, the following four are some of the most common:

Aches and pain in your jaw muscles and/or the temporomandibular joints is one of the most common signs of TMD. You may feel it most while chewing, speaking or yawning, but it can also occur while your jaw is at rest. It’s not unusual for those suffering from TMD to experience toothaches, headaches, shoulder aches, neck pain and aches in and around your ears.

Another symptom of TMD is an uncomfortable or misaligned bite. This occurs when your jaw is out of alignment. You may feel like your teeth do not close properly and that you’re having a harder time chewing hard and/or chewy foods. If you suspect your bite is misaligned, look in the mirror and check to see if your top and bottom teeth meet evenly.

TMJ dysfunction can also cause jaw popping and clicking when you open your mouth. While in most cases jaw popping and clicking isn’t painful, if you do experience pain, this could mean you have TMD. Similar indicators of TMJ dysfunction include jaw clenching and teeth grinding, which can also cause popping sounds and pain.

Perhaps one of the scariest signs of TMD is a stuck or locked jaw that can make it difficult to open or close your mouth, and it can occur in one or both of your temporomandibular joints. People who experience a locked jaw may also have migraines and swelling.

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above and believe you may have TMJ dysfunction, contact the McKinney Smiles team today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Lawrence doesn’t just treat the symptoms of TMJ disorders, he provides solutions that can resolve your bite/joint problems.