TMJ Disorder Symptoms — Cool Dental in Lethbridge, AB

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint.

It connects the jawbone to the skull on both sides of the face. This joint enables you to open and close your mouth, eat, and speak. It’s also responsible for the side-to-side movement of the lower jaw.

When you touch the area in front of your ear, below your cheekbone, you’re touching the TMJ. Try to open and close your mouth and you’ll feel it moving too. If you hear a popping or clicking sound, that could be a sign of a TMJ issue.

Any problem that involves the TMJ – the joint, muscles, and ligaments in the system – is called a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

TMD Symptoms

Aside from the clicking sound, here are other symptoms of a TMD:

Pain in the jaw joints
Pain that reaches your ear
Ear congestion
Pain in your face
Pain in your neck and back
Chewing difficulties
Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
Headaches

TMD symptoms are usually mild and subside on their own. However, some people also experience chronic pain in the TMJ area and this can affect their daily living and well-being.

If your jaw joints are bothering you, call our dental office at (403) 382-2273. Our Lethbridge Dentist, Dr. Lachman, can examine the area and recommend a treatment plan.

TMD Causes

Muscle tension triggered by stress
Teeth grinding or clenching
Injured joint and tissues
Arthritis and other joint diseases
A damaged or shifted disc that cushions the joint
Ill-fitting dentures
Certain habits, such as biting down on hard objects

It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of TMD. You may have to coordinate with a team of health professionals to receive various treatments and eliminate TMJ symptoms.