Many people may experience jaw discomfort, and most of the time, it is mild enough that you don’t consider it to be a problem. However, chronic pain or difficulty with jaw movement can be an indicator of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Here is an explanation of what TMD is along with a list of the main symptoms to help you determine if you may have this condition:

What Is TMD?

Temporomandibular disorder is a general term for the improper functioning of the temporomandibular joint (your jaw hinge) and the surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments that are affected by it. This extremely complex system is what allows you to speak and chew by opening and closing your jaw as well as move it from side to side. There are a variety of underlying causes of TMJ disorder; some of the possible factors are bruxism (clenching or grinding your teeth), injury, arthritis, and even chronic stress.

What Are the Symptoms of TMD?

• Headaches, earaches, or pain in the jaw or facial muscles. If you suffer from chronic migraine-like headaches, have regular earaches, or feel tenderness in the muscles surrounding your jaw or the side of your face and head, it could actually be due to a misalignment of your jaw hinge, which affects the surrounding muscles.
• Popping or clicking when the jaw moves. One of the most common symptoms of TMD is experiencing a popping sensation or hearing a clicking sound coming from your jaw when you speak, chew, or yawn. You may feel little or no discomfort from this and may not even notice it unless you are paying attention, but, at times, the pain can be pronounced.
• Limited range of movement of the jaw. For some people with TMD, their jaw may actually lock up or they may find that they can’t open their mouth very widely. It may also cause discomfort when trying to bite down or chew. This can lead to speech problems as well as issues with eating/chewing if left unchecked.

If you have any of the symptoms above, it’s best to schedule a dental appointment as there are corrective treatment options available, including night guards for teeth grinding and oral surgery to correct a severe problem. At Middletown Commons Family Dental, we are experienced with diagnosing and treating TMD!