Here’s how to know when jaw pain can be a sign of TMJ

Serving Patients in the areas of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Big Rapids MI

At some point in your life, you probably will encounter intermittent jaw pain. If jaw pain is occurring on a regular basis or is severe, however, then you could be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder—or TMJ for short. Your Grand Rapids TMJ specialists can identify when jaw pain is a symptom of the disorder, but here are some signs you can keep an eye out for to determine if your jaw pain could mean you have TMJ.

First off, let’s take a look at some of the behavioral and lifestyle conditions that could cause jaw pain without being symptomatic of TMJ.

• Stress – can lead to bruxism, which also is known as teeth clenching and grinding. Bruxism can occur when you are awake or, most commonly, when you sleep. Bruxism can be a symptom of TMJ, and also a potential cause of the disorder, while also causing excessive wear and tear to your teeth.
• Poor posture  – can lead to jaw pain. This may not make sense, but consider that your posture impacts how your skull sits on top of the spinal column. This, consequently, can affect how you hold your jaw. Having poor posture also can make your jaw work harder than it needs to, which can lead to jaw pain.
• Food choices – can contribute to jaw pain, especially if the foods you are eating are overworking your jaws or requiring frequent, intense chewing.

All of the above can cause mild flare-ups of jaw pain, but if the pain does not pass quickly, it can be an indicator that TMJ is present. In these instances, you should receive an evaluation by a specialist in Grand Rapids that focuses on TMJ disorder.

Especially if your jaw pain is accompanied by any of the following:

• Tingling in your extremities
• Stuffy ears
• Limited range of motion in the jaws
• Feelings of dizziness or vertigo
• Difficulty chewing
• Tooth pain that seems to migrate to different locations in the mouth
• Popping or clicking sounds as your jaws open and close

One of the most frequent symptoms of TMJ is pain, often severe. This pain may manifest as headaches that feel like migraines, but do not respond to normal means of migraine treatment.

Remember that recurring or prolonged jaw pain is likely an indicator that you have TMJ disorder. If you are consistently noting jaw soreness when you wake up or frequently feeling discomfort emanating from your jaw joints, then schedule an appointment with us at TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan.

TMJ Relief in Grand Rapids

Our dentists are trained and qualified to diagnose and treat a case of TMJ disorder. We treat not just your symptoms, but also the source of the problem. If you or someone you love is experiencing nagging jaw pain, it is time to find an answer, and get relief by calling (616) 458-0631 to schedule a consultation.

TMJ & Sleep Disorders of Michigan is here to serve patients in the areas of Grand Rapids, Holland, and Big Rapids Michigan.