What to Know if You Have a TMJ Disorder

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If you have TMJ disorder but don’t know it, then the symptoms that the disorder can cause can seem confusing. As a jaw dysfunction, it can lead to symptoms that impact your jaw’s function, but it can also lead to less direct consequences such as chronic headaches, earaches, and more. Today, we take a look at a few things you should know if you have TMJ disorder, including a few things that could be a hint you have it, as well as how we may be able to help you treat it comfortably.

It’s why your jaw is starting to hurt

TMJ disorder, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, isn’t as frequent or commonly known as other conditions, like cavities and gingivitis. If you develop pain and aching in your jaw, or other common TMJ disorder symptoms, then you might not immediately recognize the cause of your discomfort. One of the reasons TMJ disorder is common is because it can describe a variety of specific types of concerns with one or both of your jaw’s joints. In each case, minor or severe damage, inflammation, misalignment, or more can lead to increasingly worse pain throughout your jaw joints and muscles.

It could be the source of other symptoms, too

If you’ve heard of TMJ disorder, then the development of pain and aching in your jaws may be a clear warning. However, if your main symptoms involve other types of discomfort, then the cause may not be as clear. For example, in addition to aching in your jaw joints, TMJ disorder can also lead to symptoms such as:

  • Popping and clicking in your jaws
  • Chronic headaches and migraines
  • Tinnitus, or pain and ringing in your ears
  • Trouble biting and chewing your food
  • Chronic grinding of your teeth
  • And more

It may be alleviated with conservative treatment

The good news is that, once you know you have TMJ disorder, the pain and discomfort can often be alleviated with a personalized, conservative treatment plan. For many people, this can include wearing a comfortable, custom-designed appliance that helps support your jaw comfortably while you sleep at night. This can relieve any undue pressure that may be contributing to the problem with your TMJs and the different symptoms of your TMJ disorder.

Learn more about dealing with a TMJ disorder

Having TMJ disorder can sometimes be confusing due to the variety of symptoms it might cause. Fortunately, we may be able to help with a conservative, custom-designed appliance. To learn more, call our Cleveland Family Dentistry office in Cleveland, TX, today at (281) 592-1234. We also serve the residents of Kingwood, Conroe, Livingston, and all surrounding communities.