If you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder, usually called TMJ or TMJ disorder, you likely know how painful it can be. This disorder can be caused by a number of different things, many of which do lead to pain in the jaw, the joint, or your face.
Sometimes it only hurts when you chew or talk for long periods of time, while for others it may hurt more often. While pain in the TMJ is what often sends people to us, there are several other signs that could indicate you have a TMJ issue.
Clicking or Popping
If you’ve noticed that your jaw makes a strange popping, clicking, or grating sound when you move it, it can be a clear indication of TMJ issues. If it’s loud enough that other people hear it, you definitely need to come see us to discuss it.
These noises are not common and only occur when the disc in the joint is not in the correct position. The good news is that hearing this noise doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to develop pain in the joint.
Tinnitus
While most people expect TMJ issues to be connected to the jaw or the mouth, the ears can also be affected. Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, can indicate a TMJ issue. This is one case where the symptom could mean a number of things. If you’ve been to a doctor for tinnitus and they can’t discover the cause, it may have to do with TMJ.
You Have Muscle Spasms
The muscles in your face may occasionally spasm if your jaw isn’t in the correct position. This can actually make it hard to swallow in some cases. While these spasms may be painful, they often start out fairly small and don’t cause any pain.
If you’ve had any of these symptoms or have pain in your jaw, contact us to set up an appointment. The earlier we diagnose TMJ disorder, the sooner we can make you pain-free or prevent pain from starting.