When is Jaw Pain a Sign of a TMJ Disorder?

Occasional jaw pain can stem from issues with your teeth, ears, or sinuses. When persistent jaw pain interferes with speaking or chewing, it can be a warning sign of a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

At Park Dental, we specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of TMJ. Our goal is to alleviate your pain and prevent more serious jaw-related complications.

YooKyung Park, DDS, and our skilled dental team offer a range of nonsurgical therapies to enhance your jaw’s mobility. She can also discuss your options for surgery to repair a damaged or diseased jaw joint.

Understanding a TMJ disorder and its causes

The temporomandibular joint connects the jawbone to the skull. A joint on each side of your jaw functions like a sliding hinge, allowing you to open and close your mouth and move your lower jaw from side to side.

Having a  TMJ disorder means that one or both of your jaw joints aren’t working as they should. Joint problems can stem from injuries to your jaw, degenerative conditions like arthritis, or a connective tissue disease.

People who grind their teeth (bruxism) are also susceptible to TMJ disorders because of the excess pressure put on the jaw joint with repetitive grinding or clenching.

Warning signs of a TMJ disorder

Jaw pain is a hallmark symptom of a TMJ disorder. Pain may start as a mild ache on one or both sides of your mouth. Pain can worsen over time and radiate into your ears and other areas surrounding your jaw.

Jaw pain and joint dysfunction can also make it difficult for you to chew food properly. Sometimes, people with TMJ experience a locking of their jaw joint that prevents them from fully opening or closing their mouth.

When you move your mouth, you might also hear a clicking sound or feel a grinding sensation in one or both joints.

If you experience any of these symptoms, Dr. Park can help. She completes an oral exam of your jawbone and teeth to determine what’s causing your pain. She can also order X-rays to evaluate the health of your jawbone and surrounding tissues.

Exploring your treatment options for a TMJ disorder

At Park Dental, we focus on the least invasive treatment to relieve symptoms of a TMJ disorder. Dr. Park might initially recommend lifestyle changes to improve jaw health and naturally relieve pain. Strategies can include avoiding hard or chewy foods and practicing relaxation techniques to release tension in the jaw joints.

If your jaw pain is persistent, you might also benefit from:

Medications

Over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatories can increase your comfort. Our providers can prescribe muscle relaxers or other medications if your symptoms persist.

Jaw exercises

Exercises that target the jaw can strengthen the muscles surrounding your joints and help improve your jaw’s mobility.

Oral appliances

We offer custom oral appliances that stabilize your jaw and relieve joint pressure. You may also benefit from a custom night guard to prevent damage to your jaw and teeth from grinding or clenching your teeth while you sleep.

Surgery

Surgery is typically a last resort treatment for severe TMJ symptoms. We provide minimally invasive and open surgeries to repair damaged or misaligned jaw joints.

Call Park Dental in Midtown East, Manhattan, New York, today to book an evaluation for symptoms of TMJ disorder. You can also use our online booking feature to schedule an appointment.