The symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ as it is commonly called, typically include jaw pain, popping or clicking of the jaw, headache and clenching. However, some patients notice few, if any, of the tell-tale signs. Patients who experience lesser-known symptoms often live with the condition for years without ever receiving a confirmed diagnosis. This also means those patients live without treatment. To prevent this from happening to you, it is important that you know what other symptoms to look for.
TMJ manifests differently for every patient. Those who do not experience the obvious signs but who sense that something is “off” should discuss the following symptoms with a qualified dentist.
A major function of the temporomandibular joint is to keep the head balanced on top of the spinal cord. Though the head weighs roughly eight pounds, joint misalignment can result in the uneven distribution of the weight, which may lead to unnecessary stress on the spine and neck. In fact, when the head does not have the full support of the temporomandibular joint, it can result in as much as an additional 30-pound pull on the neck muscles.
Earaches typically develop when a person is sick, recently went swimming or has an infection of some type. When an earache develops out of nowhere, though, it may be a sign of TMJ. The jaw muscles typically run from ear to ear, so problems with bite alignment or injury within the jaw may trigger ear pain. Many people mistake this for an ear infection, but the truth is that the pain does not come from the ear at all. Rather, it comes from directly beneath or in front of the ear.
For many patients, TMJ is most problematic when the jaw is in use. When the jaw is not properly aligned, it can put unnecessary stress on certain teeth and the roots. The patient may interpret this pain as a symptom of decay, but it could indicate an underlying health condition such as TMJ.
When the TMJ is out of alignment, the neck muscles overwork themselves to compensate for the imbalance. This exertion can put strain on the back muscles as the spine works to maintain balance from the head down. Over time, the tension can lead to pinched nerves and numbness. When a patient experiences unexplained numbness or tingling in the extremities, it could be a sign of TMJ syndrome.
In rare cases, TMJ disorder can cause the tongue to fall too far back in the mouth during sleep. This may lead to obstructed airways. When the tongue obstructs the airways during sleep, it is called sleep apnea. If a patient complains of abnormal breathing or of feeling tired despite getting a full eight hours of rest each night, groggy or irritable, a dentist should investigate further the possibility of TMJ.
Some symptoms of TMJ are less obvious than others. Patients who experience any of the above symptoms, in addition to or in the absence of other more common signs, should discuss the possibility of TMJ with their dentists.
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