Summary
Have you ever experienced a stabbing pain, or feeling of tightness, pressure, or squeezing in your jaw?
If you have then you probably already know that it’s a terrible excruciating pain to experience.
Jaw pain, also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), is a common condition that affects millions of people.
Do You Have Jaw Pain?
Have you ever experienced a stabbing pain, or feeling of tightness, pressure, or squeezing in your jaw?
If you have then you probably already know that it’s a terrible excruciating pain to experience.
Jaw pain, also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) or temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), is a common condition that affects millions of people.
It is estimated that 1 in every 12 people in the United States is currently affected by a TMJ disorder.
That’s 12% of the country’s population and equals about 35 million people!
In fact, TMJ or jaw pain is one of the most common causes of facial and tooth pain.
What Causes the Pain in Your Jaw?
Several things can cause TMD/TMJ such as injury to the jaw joints or surrounding tissues. Other causes include:
- Misaligned bite
- Crooked teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or worn teeth
- Excess stimulation of the jaw joint
- A displaced disc that usually helps cushion the movements of the jaw
- Arthritis of the protective disc that cushions the jaw joint
Further injury to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can also be caused by:
- Bruxism – Grinding your teeth at night
- Involuntarily clenching your jaw due to stress and anxiety
- Trauma to the jaw joint, such as getting hit in the face while playing sports
Symptoms of TMJ
- Frequent headaches
- Earaches
- Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing your mouth
- A tired feeling in your face
- Difficulty chewing
- Tinnitus, or ringing in your ears
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
- Swelling on the side of your face
- Tooth pain
What Can You Do to Reduce Jaw Pain?
TMJ isn’t something that just goes away on its own.
In fact, if left untreated, TMJ can lead to serious dental issues and worse pain down the road.
Your treatment is going to depend on what is causing the TMJ, whether is teeth grinding or something misaligned in your bite. This means that just one treatment could work, or you may need a series of treatments before you find that your symptoms are relieved.
Successful TMJ treatment often includes orthodontic assistance. For example, when dealing with misaligned teeth and bites that cause jaw joint problems, treatment, in this case, will most likely be Braces.
Most doctors will first recommend non-invasive treatment methods for your jaw pain. However, if you still have jaw pain after trying these methods, then you should talk to your dentist as you may need further interventions to find relief for your pain.
Specialized Help for Your Jaw Pain
If you think you may have TMJ/ TMD, come get the necessary help you need.
TMJ disorder is real and can cause serious problems in life if not treated properly.
It’s important to get the right treatment – not only to reduce your pain, but also to help prevent any further issues.
Our team at is happy and ready to serve YOU. Schedule an appointment for a TMJ screening and find relief faster. Contact us today to get started.
