TMJ Symptoms Disguised As Everyday Medical Conditions

The early signs of TMJ or TMJ symptoms can sometimes be hard to detect. This is due to the fact that these signs can mimic more common medical conditions like earaches, headaches, jaw pain and "clicking" or "popping" sounds when opening or closing the mouth.

The bad news is that this mis-diagnosis often results in valuable time lost as sufferers consult with a number of doctors or specialists looking for a cure. Those who are lucky enough to contact a dentist in the early stages avoid unnecessary pain and worry as they get the pain relief they need so desperately.

One of the most common signs of TMJ disorder is teeth grinding (commonly known as bruxism). When someone clenches or grinds his or her teeth, additional stress is put onto already tired and overworked muscles. This stress is then transferred to the head, neck, face, shoulders, and in some extreme cases, the back.

Another common symptom of TMJ disorder that is usually mistaken for a regular medical condition is headaches. The biggest reason people do not think of headaches as a TMJ symptom is because they are more commonly confused with migraine headaches.

TMJ headaches usually start in the temple area (right behind the eyes), the back of the head, and the pain travels along the neck and shoulders. On the other hand, migraine headaches cause visual impairments (including sensitivity to light) and can be felt mainly on one side of the head. Unfortunately, the treatment for migraine headaches do not provide permanent relief for TMJ disorder induced headaches. To get proper diagnosis for TMJ disorder, you will need to consult a dentist or a dental specialist and not a neurologist. An excellent source of information for TMJ disorder treatment is the American Academy of Head, Neck and Facial Pain.

Jaw clicking and/or popping are also common TMJ symptoms. Many people dismiss this symptom as an everyday occurrence because at the early stages, jaw clicking and popping does not usually interfere in their daily lives. The clicking sound occurs when the condyle moves forward when the mouth opens and the condyle slips on and off the dislocated disc. The bad news is that if left alone, the condition could become worse. This is why early detection is crucial. When the clicking sound becomes louder, chances are the condition is getting worse and the pain can become more intense at a rapid pace.

In order to avoid a delayed diagnoses, keep in mind that some of the common TMJ symptoms that are disguised as common medical problems include headaches, earaches, jaw pain and "clicking" or "popping" sounds when opening or closing the mouth. If any of these TMJ symptoms are constant for an extended amount of time and only seem to be getting worse, then you need to look for medical attention as soon as possible.