Top 3 Signs Of TMJ Disorder
About 25% of people in the United States have TMJ disorder, yet a large proportion of this population are not aware they suffer from this condition. The alarming truth is that TMJ disorder is not always easy to diagnose because it is not uncommon for TMJ symptoms to mimic regular medical conditions.
Unfortunately, most doctors are aware of TMJ disorder yet do not always make the connection between the symptoms and the disorder. Patients are therefore provided with remedies that do not address the core problems of the disorder and only serve to treat individual symptoms separately. This wastes valuable time and prolongs the pain the patients have to go through.
If you have any of the 3 following symptoms and have tried to treat them without much success, talk to your dentist or primary physician about the possibility of having TMJ disorder.
Sign 1: Jaw Popping & Clicking
This is one of the sure signs that someone is suffering from TMJ disorder. Sometimes, the popping and clicking sound could just be a minor sign of a tense jaw muscle, in which case, simple jaw exercises might help ease the problem. In more serious instances, this symptom (if left treated) could lead to a more intense condition with unbearable pain. This is why it is crucial to highlight this symptom to your dentist immediately to determine if it is a clear sign that you suffer from TMj disorder.
Sign 2: Teeth Clenching & Grinding
Like Sign 1, teeth clenching and grinding are often mistaken as symptoms of a stressed lifestyle. Many doctors might prescribe a night guard or mouth guard to protect your teeth at night. This might help ease the wear and tear on your teeth while you sleep, but it definitely does not help remedy the underlying problem. If this symptom persists for a long period of time, then there might be a chance you have TMJ disorder. Talk to your dentist immediately!
Sign 3: Prolonged Headaches, Not Migraine Headaches
Some TMJ disorder sufferers cannot differentiate between regular headaches and migraine headaches. Migraine headaches usually cause impaired vision like sensitivity to light and the pain is normally focused on one side of the head. The bad news is that the remedy for migraine headaches does not relieve TMJ disorder induced headaches. If you experience headaches that resonate in the temple area right behind the eyes, or even at the back of your head along your neck and shoulders, then chances are this is a TMJ symptom not a migraine headache.
TMJ disorder is a hard condition to go through because it can disrupt a person’s daily life and activities. This is why it is important to spot the symptoms as they appear and get the proper treatment for TMJ disorder as fast as possible.
I have recently been diagnosed with TMJ. Am still researching natural remedies and TMJ. It has left me exhausted – 2 to 3 weeks. Not eatting anything but very soft food as the pain in chewing is really harsh! Am taking an anti-inflamatory med prescribed by the Dr. As I am sensitive to meds, I feel so tired from all of the pain. Normally I am a very healthy individual and only use Vitamins and excercise. This is all so new to me not to be active and taking pills daily! It all started in November with an earache and when I woke up 2-3 weeks ago from a good nites sleep – WOW! The pain in my face was unbelievable. I took myself to the Emergency Room Hospital and was somewhat relieved but its a very new condition for me. I would like to be able to open my jaw but its 5 days of meds and still I have pain on the left side of my face. Would like some real exercises for this. No headaches just an earache and sore shoulders. Anything you could suggest would be helpful. Thank you, Irene R.Schofield