Does your jaw feel stiff or sore, or have you noticed a clicking sound when you bite down to chew? If so, you might have developed a TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. This can happen if you’ve developed a dental misalignment that keeps your teeth from touching together properly when you bite down. This forces your jaw to overcompensate, triggering a painful joint inflammation that limits your mouth’s range of motion.
You might think of it as more frustrating than problematic, but if left unaddressed, your condition could worsen. Continue reading to learn 3 reasons to call your dentist sooner rather than later!
Issue #1: Chronic Aches
There are many potential causes for TMJ disorders (TMD), and some are more serious than others. For example, if you subconsciously grind your teeth at night in response to stress or anxiety, the added pressure of constantly clenching can cause a problem. If your sore jaw results from this kind of reaction, the ache might fade when things return to normal and you feel like you can rest.
However, if your TMD is due to a severe bite misalignment, it won’t fix itself. In fact, your condition is likely to worsen progressively, causing long-term discomfort that can also affect your face, head, neck, ears, and shoulders.
Issue #2: Problems with Hearing
Your TMJ anchor your jawbone to your skull where they connect just in front of your earlobes. Because these joints are close to your ear canals, many patients experience hearing-related symptoms when they become inflamed.
For instance, untreated TMD is known to cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that hinders your ability to focus during the day or get a solid night’s rest. You might also notice a feeling of fullness or stuffiness in your ear canals, mimicking a cold or ear infection. You might even experience dizziness or vertigo because this can impact your inner ear fluids, which are responsible for your sense of balance.
Issue #3: Oral Health Concerns
TMJ disorders are often linked to dental problems like bruxism (teeth grinding) and tooth or bite misalignments that can affect your oral health. These conditions can wear down your enamel unevenly or prematurely, increasing your vulnerability to tooth decay and physical injuries. Not only that, but if you are sore on one side of your mouth, you might resort to only chewing with the opposite side to avoid discomfort, causing uneven facial swelling.
Thankfully, your dentist can work with you to provide appropriate treatments, like a nightguard to shield your teeth from grinding, to give your jaw joints a well-deserved reprieve so they can recover!
About the Practice
At Smile Fitness Dental Center, you and your family benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping you build and maintain your happiest, healthiest smiles. Dr. Florento, Dr. Santoro, and Dr. Stulic share decades of combined experience providing everything from basic preventive care to more complex treatments, including addressing TMD. They combine a caring approach with state-of-the-art equipment to help you feel comfortable while delivering accurate results intended to last. If you’re worried about your TMJ, you can request an appointment on the website or call (623) 303-0967.