A sore jaw after a long day might not seem like a dental problem. Neither might a clicking sound when you open your mouth. But if your jaw normally hurts, feels stiff or doesn’t move quite as easily as it used to, there may be more going on than temporary discomfort.
The temporomandibular joints and surrounding muscles are involved in almost every movement of your jaw. When something affects them, the symptoms can show up in ways that are easy to oversee. So, how can you tell when those symptoms could point towards TMJ disorder?
What Does TMJ Disorder Actually Affect?
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, sit on either side of your face where the jaw connects to the skull. They allow the jaw to move when you talk, chew, yawn and open your mouth.
TMJ disorder, also called TMD, can involve the joint itself, the surrounding muscles or both. It is not one single condition with one predictable set of symptoms.
That is why two people with TMD may experience quite different problems. One person may mainly notice jaw tension, while another may have difficulty opening their mouth or recurring headaches.
Which Jaw Symptoms Should You Pay Attention To?
Some symptoms are easy to connect with the jaw. Others can be less obvious.
Assessment of the condition may be necessary if you experience:
- Pain or soreness of the jaw
- Difficulty closing or opening your mouth due to tightness
- Popping, clicking or grinding noises
- Difficulty fully opening the mouth
- Locking of the jaw
- Pain while chewing
- Pain or discomfort of the face or temple area
- Headache accompanying jaw pain
- Pain in the ear area without an infection
A single symptom alone cannot diagnose TMD; what is important is the occurrence of those symptoms and how often they occur, as well as their impact on the functioning of your jaw.
Does Jaw Clicking Mean You Have TMJ Disorder?
Not necessarily.
Some people have clicking or popping in the jaw without pain, restricted movement or other problems. An occasional sound does not automatically mean the joint needs treatment.
It becomes more important to have the jaw assessed when clicking is accompanied by pain, stiffness, locking or difficulty moving the jaw normally.
For example, a jaw that clicks occasionally but functions normally may be very different from one that repeatedly clicks and becomes difficult to open. Looking at the whole picture gives your dentist a better idea of whether there is an underlying problem.
Why Might Your Jaw Be Hurting?
TMJ symptoms can have several possible contributors, so it is not always possible to point to one cause.
Teeth grinding and clenching can put additional strain on the jaw muscles. Some people grind mainly while asleep and may not realise they are doing it until they notice morning jaw tension, headaches or increased tooth wear.
Some other factors that could cause your TMJ problems are:
- Muscle tension due to stress
- Injury to the jaw
- Arthritis or changes in the joint
- Problems with jaw movements
- Some dental or bite problems
This is the reason that the treatment of the pain alone, without knowing the underlying causes, would not solve the problem.
What Other Symptoms Can Come With TMJ Problems?
Jaw symptoms do not always stay in the jaw.
Muscle strain or tension in the jaws can sometimes cause headaches and pain or discomfort in the head region, particularly at the temple area. Bruxism can also cause sensitive teeth and wear on the tooth surface.
Pain in the ear region may also be experienced by some people, even though the problem originates from the jaw.
These symptoms may be caused by other problems too, and hence should not be taken as an indication of TMD. A dental assessment can help determine whether the jaw is likely to be involved.
How Does a Dentist Work Out What Is Causing the Problem?
Diagnosis starts with understanding what you have been experiencing.
Your dentist might ask you questions such as: How long have you had the problem? Does the problem fluctuate? What makes the problem worse? Do you grind or clench your teeth? This allows your dentist to check on the way your jaw moves and the muscles and teeth that are involved.
Symptoms that will be investigated are tenderness, restricted movement, and clicking/locking.
Depending on the signs/ symptoms and a suspected causes is, additional tests or imaging will be conducted. The role of such tests is to figure out the cause, not to simply accept it as TMD.
What Can You Do When Your Jaw Symptoms Keep Coming Back?
If your symptoms are mild and occasional, your dentist may first recommend simple measures to reduce strain on the jaw.
Depending on the situation, this may include paying attention to clenching or grinding habits, avoiding activities that aggravate the jaw and following advice provided during your dental assessment.
More persistent symptoms may need a specific treatment plan. The appropriate approach depends on whether the main issue involves muscle tension, inflammation, grinding, joint problems or another factor.
There is no single treatment that is right for every person with TMD.
When Should You See a Jaw Pain Dentist in Newcastle?
Recurring jaw pain is worth discussing with a dentist, particularly when it begins interfering with eating, speaking or opening your mouth.
You should also arrange an assessment if your jaw repeatedly locks, your movement becomes restricted, or symptoms such as headaches and facial pain keep returning alongside jaw tension.
A Jaw Pain Dentist Newcastle patients see can assess the symptoms and determine whether they appear to be related to TMD or another dental concern.
At 7 Pearls Dental, a dentist TMJ specialist Newcastle patients can consult can assess the jaw and help determine which treatment approach may be appropriate.
What Does TMJ Treatment in Newcastle Involve?
Treatment depends on what is causing or contributing to the symptoms.
At 7 Pearls Dental, TMJ Treatment Newcastle options include non-surgical approaches designed to manage jaw tension, pain and related symptoms. Therapeutic muscle-relaxant injections can be used to target overactive jaw muscles.
At the same time, Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBM) is a non-invasive laser treatment that may be used to help reduce inflammation, discomfort and muscle tension.
These treatments are not necessarily right for everyone. A pre-assessment helps determine whether TMJ Treatment Newcastle is appropriate for the patient’s symptoms and oral health.
Can TMJ Symptoms Settle Without Treatment?
Some mild jaw symptoms may settle, particularly when they are temporary and linked to factors such as increased muscle tension.
That does not mean persistent symptoms should simply be ignored. If pain keeps returning, your jaw becomes difficult to move, or symptoms are gradually getting worse, it is worth finding out what is causing them.
Early assessment may also be useful in identifying habits such as clenching or grinding that may be contributing to ongoing jaw strain.