TMJ Dysfunction: Causes and Symptoms

TMJ dysfunction stands for temporomandibular joint. Millions of people in the U.S suffer from a TMJ disorder, whichmay cause extreme discomfort and pain in the jaw. But this disorder can adversely affect other areas of your body as well. Several symptoms of TMJ can cause severe damage, which, in turn, may impact an individual’s ability to conduct his or her daily activities.

Let us understand in detail the causes and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction.

Causes of TMJ dysfunction

The temporomandibular joint serves as a sliding hinge by connecting the skull with your jawbone. This joint functions like any other joint in the human body. However, in some cases, a dysfunctional TMJ impacts the muscles that help in moving the jaw apart from causing jaw pain. For some people, this jaw pain can be severe and can even extend to the ears.

TMJ pain is not related to one single cause; there are several causes behind this disorder. Injury to the joint, muscles on the head and neck or the jaw can lead to TMJ. Arthritis, poorly aligned teeth, and tightening of the jaw and facial muscles can also trigger TMJ. For some people, TMJ can be a genetic disorder. To know more, you should consider scheduling an appointment with a professional in general dentistry in Richardson, TX.

Symptoms of TMJ

In case you are confused about whether you suffers from TMJ disorder or not, you need to look out for some common symptoms.

• Locked Jaw: TMJ dysfunction interrupts the smooth functioning of your jaw. Individuals might experience their jaws getting “lock” or “stuck” when open or close your mouth. This locked jaw can last for a moment and can even lead to prolonged jaw locking.

• Popping Sounds: Do you hear any sound, such as clicking, popping, or crunching, while moving your lower jaw? If your answer is “yes,” then there are chances you might have TMJ disorder. But, you should not take all sounds to make you worry over TMJ dysfunction, as they can be due to other physicalities of the joint in the jaw.

• Trouble Chewing: TMJ can also make chewing difficult for individuals. They might feel suddenly feel uncomfortable while biting something.

As a preventive measure, it is better to consult a dentist near you in case you experience any pain and discomfort in your jaws. At GentleTouch Dentistry, we offer customized dental services in Richardson, TX, to cater to the different needs and requirements of a patient. This approach is highly effective in controlling the pain caused by TMJ.