When to Seek Treatment for TMJ Disorder

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder (also referred to as just TMJ) affects the hinge joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. Your TMJ not only opens and closes your jaw, but it also allows it to move side-to-side.

When you have a TMJ disorder, however, your joint doesn’t work as it should. You may hear or feel clicks or pops when you open or close your mouth. Your jawbone or neck may ache or throb. Your jaw can even get stuck, making it difficult to open, close, or move to the side. Even ear ringing (tinnitus) can be a result of TMJ issues.

Up to 12% of the population in the United States has a TMJ disorder. All ages and sexes experience difficulty with their jaw function, but TMJ disorders are more common in women and most often appear between the ages of 20-40.

 Dr. John East and our team at Addison Pain + Regenerative Medicine recommend seeking treatment for your TMJ disorder as soon as possible. You can receive relief from pain and dysfunction at our office in Addison, Texas, as well as protect your joint and limit complications.

When should you seek treatment for a TMJ disorder? Contact us if you have any of the following symptoms:

Your jaw pops, clicks, or grates

All of your joints should operate smoothly, easily, and free of pain. This includes your TMJ. If you hear noises or feel disjointed movement when you open or close your jaw or move it side-to-side, something is wrong with your joint.

One or both of your mandibles (jawbones) may not be seated properly in their sockets. Your mandible may move out of its socket when you open your mouth, rather than staying in place.

Depending on the cause of the dislocation, you may need Botox® or another muscle relaxant to loosen your masseter muscles. Or, you might benefit from surgery to reseat your mandible. However, we only recommend surgery if other options have failed.

Your jaw hurts or is stiff

You might have developed arthritis in your jaw, causing pain in your TMJ. We may recommend trigger point injections to relax your jaw. 

You could also benefit from hyaluronic acid (HA). Your body produces HA to lubricate your joints, including your TMJ. If you lack HA, an injection can help your joint move more smoothly and painlessly.

It’s also possible that your teeth are misaligned, causing a malocclusion (bad bite). You might benefit from orthodontics to correct the alignment of your teeth so your jaw closes better and more comfortably.

You grind your teeth at night

You may have an unconscious habit called bruxism, which means you grind your teeth while you sleep. Your dentist may first alert you to your bruxism when they see that your molars are flat or your teeth in the front are ground down.

To protect your teeth, we may prescribe a nightguard — a customized mouthguard that slips over your teeth to protect them while you sleep. 

If you snore or have sleep apnea, a specialized oral device can protect your teeth while moving your jaw slightly forward. This keeps your airway open. You’re less likely to grind your teeth when you breathe freely at night.

You have trouble opening or closing your mouth

If your jaw gets stuck or it’s too stiff to move freely, call us right away. In addition to the above possible causes of your TMJ issues, you may have a fracture. 

You have facial pain

Even if your jaw doesn’t hurt, other types of facial pain may be caused by a traumatized or dysfunctional TMJ. Let us know if you experience:

• Headaches
• Earaches
• Toothache
• Migraines
• Tinnitus
• Facial pain
• Shoulder pain
• Neck pain

Pain is always a sign that your body needs help. If a TMJ disorder is behind your pain, we have a number of remedies, depending on the cause.

How to keep your jaw healthy

After a consultation, diagnosis, and treatment plan, there’s more you can do to keep your TMJ healthy and pain-free. Break these habits to support your jaw strength and health:

• Chewing ice, pens, or other nonfood items
• Excessively chewing gum
• Taking large bites of tough foods
• Bruxism
• Sleeping on your stomach
• Clenching your jaw
• Grinding your teeth
• Slouching
• Using your teeth as tools to open bottles, tear things, etc.

You may also want to look into stress-reduction techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation. Holding tension in your shoulders, neck, and face makes TMJ disorders worse.

Is your jaw locking, popping, or hurting? Get a TMJ examination, diagnosis, and treatment by phoning our office at 972-380-0000 or requesting an appointment online today.