However, these joints can also cause problems for those who have misaligned teeth, an improper bite, or arthritis. TMJ disorders can cause many symptoms, including clicking or popping noises, inability to open the mouth all the way, and jaw pain.

But what are some other, more unexpected symptoms of TMJ you may not have heard of?

Ear Pain

Ear aches or infections can happen as the result of TMJ issues [1]. Since the temporomandibular joints are so close to the ears, ear problems may be misdiagnosed when really the TMJ is the culprit.

People who have ear problems as the result of TMJ may have a feeling of fullness in their ear or tinnitus (ringing of the ears). While experts aren’t sure why this happens, your dentist can help diagnose any TMJ problems, especially if you’ve received treatment for ear issues that hasn’t helped.

Affected Vision

Your vision in one or both eyes may be affected as the result of TMJ inflammation or malfunction [2]. But why does this happen?

The temporomandibular joints are very close to a major nerve called the trigeminal nerve, which is also linked to your vision in addition to your jaw and brain. If these joints are inflamed, they may affect your vision.

Problems may include blurry vision, “tired” eyes, a feeling of pressure behind the eyes, or even light sensitivity or watery eyes.

Neck or Shoulder Pain

TMJ problems often lead to muscle tension in the jaw, which can cause pain and tension to radiate outward to affect your neck and even your shoulders and upper back [3].

In addition, to compensate for jaw pain as the result of TMJ, you may unconsciously hold your head or neck in an unnatural position to help reduce your discomfort. Poor posture is a symptom of TMJ discomfort, but can also be a cause as well!

Dizziness

Since TMJ disorders can affect the ears, some people may experience dizziness. The muscles and connective tissue that support the jaw can experience inflammation as a result of a problem with the TMJ, and this, in turn, can affect the inner ear.

The inner ear helps manage your sense of balance, so a problem with your inner ear as the result of TMJ inflammation could lead to vertigo as a symptom of TMJ disorders [4].

Numbness or Tingling

Since the TMJ is so close to the trigeminal nerve, any inflammation around these joints could possibly lead to numbness or tingling in your arms, legs, or fingers as the result of a pinched trigeminal nerve. You may also experience weakness or an aching feeling in these areas [5].

While this isn’t a common symptom, it’s something to consider if you’re having other TMJ symptoms in addition to symptoms of a pinched nerve.

Are You Experiencing Any of These Symptoms?

TMJ disorders are treatable. If you’re experiencing any of these or the more common symptoms of a problem with your temporomandibular joints, don’t hesitate to seek help from your experienced dentist!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296994/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5045971/
3. https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2016/april/tmj-
the-small-joint-that-can-cause-big-pain
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296954/
5. http://www.ajnr.org/content/30/7/1414

The post The Unexpected Symptoms of TMJ appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

An estimated 10 million people experience some type of problem with their TMJ, whether it’s
due to an improper bite, arthritis, or even stress and teeth grinding. If you’re looking for TMJ
relief, you may be able to try the following dentist recommended exercises to treat your TMJ
disorder.

Resisted Opening Exercise

Resisted opening exercises can help strengthen your jaw muscles and provide some relief for
TMJ tension. To perform a resisted opening exercise, place your thumb or thumbs underneath
your chin. Push your thumbs against your chin gently while opening your mouth. You can keep
your mouth open for about three seconds before closing it and repeat.

Relaxation Exercise

Relaxation exercises can help to ease sore jaw muscles associated with a TMJ disorder. To try a
relaxation exercise, place your tongue on the top of your mouth behind your front teeth. Allow
your jaw to open, keeping your muscles relaxed. You can also slowly close your mouth, keeping
your tongue in the same position.

Mild Resisted Opening Exercises

During mild resisted opening exercises, you can again place your tongue on the roof of your
mouth as in the previous exercise. Next, put one finger where your TMJ is—this will be just in
front of your ear. Put another finger from your opposite hand on your chin. Apply gentle
pressure on both fingers on your TMJ and chin.

Next, allow your lower jaw to open about halfway and close. For full opening, perform the same
process, except allow your jaw to completely open and then close. You should feel some
resistance here, but not pain. If the exercise is painful, do not continue.

Stress Management

Since stress is a major factor in many TMJ disorders, it may benefit you to try some relaxation
techniques in your daily life to cope with stress. Relaxation processes will be different for
everyone, but many people find that breathing techniques, meditation, yoga, or other forms of
exercise can help them manage their stress.

Following Up with Your Dentist

There are other ways to manage and treat your TMJ pain. It’s essential to follow up with your dentist. If any of these exercises are painful, do not continue them. Allowing your dentist to
examine your TMJ and determine the cause can help you uncover exercises and treatment
techniques that will work for you.

TMJ disorders are absolutely treatable and can be managed. For some people, determining the
cause of their TMJ disorder can help implement a successful treatment process to make their
pain go away permanently. For others, managing their stress and triggers for TMJ pain can help
effectively manage the disorder.

Your dentist is the first step to alleviating discomfort in your TMJ. By scheduling a simple exam,
you can determine if you suffer from a TMJ disorder and what treatments are available to help
you feel better today!

The post Dentist Recommended Exercises to Treat TMJ appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

You’ve likely heard of TMJ disorders, where a misalignment, trauma, or incorrect bite could result in jaw pain and odd sounds. People often experience clicking or popping noises when opening and closing their mouth in addition to headaches, jaw tightness, and even teeth grinding as a result of these conditions.

These disorders can be very uncomfortable, but fortunately, your dentist may be able to help! Talk to your dentist about any jaw pain including any tension or tightness that you’re experiencing. He or she can perform a simple jaw exam to determine if your bite or your temporomandibular joint could be the problem.

Stress or Anxiety

Many people are taught to keep their emotions to themselves and deal with feelings such as anxiety or stress inwardly. This can lead to tension throughout the body, and you may experience this tension in your jaw muscles. When you’re under pressure or feeling stressed out, you may tighten your jaw in response to these stressors, leading to jaw tightness and tension.

There are other ways to handle stress and anxiety rather than placing the pressure on your jaw or your muscles. This type of tension could lead to dull headaches or even intense migraines and can worsen your existing stress. Talk to your doctor or your dentist about healthy habits for handling stress rather than taking that tension in your jaw!

Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Do you know if you grind your teeth? Teeth grinding is a common habit that many people aren’t aware they have. Whether you grind your teeth in times of stress or even while sleeping, this could be the sneaky culprit behind your jaw tightness and tension. Bruxism is the technical name for teeth grinding, and bruxism can be extremely damaging to your teeth and put immense pressure on your jaw.

If you grind your teeth at night, you may wake up with jaw pain, a dull headache, or even sore teeth and gums. Since bruxism puts so much pressure on your teeth, this can lead to chips and fractures, enamel erosion, and inflammation, all of which can increase your risk for tooth loss over time. Talk to your dentist about bruxism—he or she can perform an exam and determine if you’re exhibiting signs of teeth grinding that can benefit from treatment.

You don’t have to live with jaw tightness and tension. These symptoms often point to a larger problem that can easily be addressed with your dentist. No one should have to live with pain, so talk to your dentist about your jaw aches and tension to see what’s causing it. There is treatment for bruxism, stress, and TMJ disorders!

The post Jaw Tightness and Tension: What Does It Mean? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

TMJ are the temporomandibular joints, the joints on the side of your face that allow your jaws to move. Problems with these joints are common, which isn’t surprising when you think about how much work they do. TMJ disorder happens when the smooth operation of the joints that we are born with wears down. The symptoms of TMJ disorder often go unnoticed because they are mistaken for something else. Headaches and facial pain are a primary symptom of TMJ disorder, but are often assumed to be caused by other factors. Clicking sounds when you open your jaws and jaw pain when you open your mouth are less common symptoms of TMJ disorder. Even without these symptoms, chronic headaches or pain anywhere in the face or neck could be an indication that TMJ disorder is present.

The most common treatment for TMJ disorder is a dental appliance, called a splint, which a dentist fits to your mouth so that it fits precisely. The splint helps to position your jaws correctly so that pain is alleviated. You can wear the splint while you sleep and it can decrease or eliminate headaches and neck pain that you may have been accustomed to waking up with.

In severe cases of TMJ disorder, surgical treatment may be recommended. For most people, non-invasive treatment such as a splint provides satisfactory relief. In some cases, problems with the alignment of the bite can contribute to TMJ symptoms and pain. If this is the case, correcting the bite with orthodontics could relieve TMJ symptoms.

If you have clicking jaws, chronic headaches, neck pain or facial pain, a trip to the dentist could reveal the presence of TMJ disorder. Dental treatment can be a simple way to get rid of the pain.

For more information, make an appointment with your dentist today.

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