TMJ Symptoms Affect More Than Just Your Jaw

The hours creep slowly through the night. You toss and turn, and it seems sleep is elusive. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get comfortable. The problem is not the quality of your bed or pillow, and the problem is not that you drank too much coffee in the evening. Your face really hurts. Smiling and frowning bring pain, but the problem is not just with your teeth or gums. The pain radiates from the corner of your mouth. You are also clenching your teeth, grinding them together. Finally, exhausted, you get out of bed and go to the bathroom. For a moment, you wonder what is wrong with you, but as you sift through your medicine cabinet you remember that you were recently diagnosed with TMJ disorder.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. It is a very painful condition affecting the joint between the lower and upper jaw. It is often caused by grinding your teeth together. The muscles around the joint stiffen and as a result the joint's membranes become inflamed. It is relatively common, and it is treatable.

Although the disorder itself centers in the jaw and its joint, TMJ symptoms can be felt throughout the face. As illustrated in the above scenario, facial pain can result. The discomfort can even be felt up in the forehead. Other head pain can be symptomatic as well. When one muscular ligament becomes strained, it can have a domino effect and result in that strain and tightness spreading. TMJ can lead to a scalp that is sensitive to the touch, and the back of the head can develop sharp and shooting pain. The scalp may also become so sensitive that even lightly touching your hair can bring unpleasant discomfort.

TMJ symptoms can also be felt around the eyes. While the condition is active, you may feel pressure build up behind your eyes, and may feel headaches that resemble migraines. Your eyes will also become bloodshot. There are other types of headaches you might experience, especially types that seem clustered together and types that seem centered in your sinuses. Sometimes, these headaches can be a little misleading. Not all headaches begin in the brain or the top of the head, after all.

The same could be said for your ears. TMJ symptoms also include the feeling of itchy and stuffed up ears. Aches within the ear may also result. Your ability to hear may diminish, and that may also be accompanied by hissing or buzzing sounds. Ear issues may also lead to dizziness and an inability to maintain balance.

Other TMJ symptoms can center around the throat. Plus, there is expected pain in the face, due to where the affected area is located. Sometimes, people with TMJ need to sleep with a mouth guard. However, it is a condition that you will not find many over the counter remedies for. While a dentist may be able to help, they will likely refer you to a maxillofacial doctor.