TMJ Symptoms
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder is a collection of different complications of the jaw point. When this joint begins to have issues, whether on the side of the bone or the muscle, there is excruciating pain. Understanding how they are caused, though, can better provide an understanding on how not to be bothered by them.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
Any sort of damage that is done to the jaw can lead to TMJ disorder. The reason for this is because the temporomandibular joint is one of the most important in the jaw. Therefore, anything that is done that shouldn’t be done can potentially lead to problems. However, there are a few base causes that a person should look out for to ensure they never get TMJ disorder to begin with. They are:
- Teeth grinding or clenching. When people sleep, they are known for grinding their teeth and clenching. Because of this, they don’t realize it is being done and this can wear on the teeth and cartilage in the jaw. Therefore, wearing some sort of teeth guard is an effective way of preventing this.
- Misalignment of teeth. Because the teeth aren’t lined up, people might opt to just chew on one side. Doing this, though, results in that one side being overworked which can result in TMJ disorder.
- Stress. It has been known for people with cases of severe stress to clench and unclench their teeth without even realizing it. This, in turn, puts strain on the joint.
Understanding that there are ways to prevent it is an effective way of ensuring someone never gets TMJ disorder. However, sometimes, it happens and pinpointing the symptoms becomes the next best bet in taking care of it.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
There are some tell tale signs that someone with TMJ disorder should look for. If these symptoms begin to add up, consider going to a doctor to get treatment. These symptoms are:
- Headaches: It has been reported that eighty percent of people with TMJ disorder are known to have headaches. Forty percent of people are known for having facial pain as well.
- Ear disorder: According to research, about forty percent of people with a TMJ disorder have ear pains. These pains are described as below or in front of the ear.
- Sounds: When opening and closing the jaw, if there is grinding, popping or crunching, it might be caused by TMJ disorder.
- Dizziness: Forty percent of people have reported that they have had cases of dizziness due to their TMJ disorder. This isn’t a type of vertigo; however, it still causes imbalance.
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