What Are the Most Common TMJ Symptoms?

There are many different TMJ symptoms that can affect you. If you do not already know, TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint. This refers to problems related to the jaw. This can cause pain and other problems in the ear, neck, and other facial muscles. There are many different symptoms that may be a sign of this disorder.

TMJ can sometimes be treated at home. A diet of soft foods can help to make chewing and swallowing easier. Slowly moving ones jaw from side to side and up and down while applying warm compresses to the area. That should be repeated three to five times a day. Using over the counter pain medications can also help alleviate the pain as well as the inflammation from the disorder.

One common symptom associated with TMJ disorder is pain in the facial muscles. This can be from the joints being overstretched. Pain may occur each time you chew, talk, or even yawn. Usually the pain radiates outward from the front of the ear

The least troublesome symptom is the hearing of sounds. These sounds are often reported as being clicking and popping noises. Usually this is because the disc has been somewhat dislocated. Sounds alone may not require treatment, provided that they do not cause any pain.

The ears can be heavily affected as well. Ear pain and ringing have been reported. There is also a chance that hearing loss could occur. It might be easy to confuse TMJ pain for an ear infection, which is why it is important to get a proper diagnoses before attempting to treat any pain. Infections of the ear can be nasty as well, but are not generally associated with TMJ.

In some people, the face and mouth may swell. This can look very odd, as it will likely only hit the side of the face that has been hit with the syndrome. Not all swelling of the face is related to this disorder. Most swelling in the face is caused by allergic reactions to something you have recently come into contact with.

Sometimes there will be problems with swallowing. This is because of muscle spasms that are occurring in the jaw. Any problems with swallowing may become very dangerous, as a chocking risk could be involved.

The jaw will sometimes lock in place, or not open fully. There could be the chance that one side of your jaw may open normally while the other is in too much pain to get fully open. A person who is suffering from TMJ may not be able to get their teeth to line up correctly anymore, either. These symptoms can come on very suddenly.

TMJ symptoms may also include headaches and dizziness. This can make people feel nauseous and even cause vomiting. People experiencing these symptoms should consult a medical expert for more information on how to treat them. Having this disorder does not need to completely disrupt your life, but it is important to take it easy on the jaw while experiencing the symptoms.