If you have temporomandibular joint disorder, you may experience symptoms like jaw pain, jaw popping and clicking, and headaches. Sometimes, the disorder goes away without treatment. Most people who require treatment find that it resolves symptoms.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are a group of disorders affecting your TMJs. These joints consist of small disks of cartilage that connect your temporal bones (the sides of your skull) to your mandible (lower jaw). They allow your mouth to open and close.
TMJ disorders can cause symptoms that affect your jaw, ears, and other parts of your face and head.
Let’s go over the symptoms and medical signs of TMJ disorders, some conditions that may cause similar symptoms, and when to contact a doctor or other healthcare professional.
Most people with a TMJ disorder experience jaw pain, but this pain can radiate to other parts of your face and head.
Common TMJ disorder symptoms include:
- ear pain, which is common
- tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- jaw pain
- jaw popping or clicking
- jaw locking
- difficulty fully opening your mouth
- facial muscle spasms
- pain in your temples or cheeks
- tooth pain
- neck pain
- headache
TMJ pain may be dull and constant, or it may be a sharp, searing pain that occurs while you’re:
- chewing
- swallowing
- talking
- yawning
Some possible TMJ disorder signs that a doctor may look for when making a diagnosis
- jaw misalignment, particularly when you open your mouth
- malocclusion, which is improper alignment of your teeth when you close your jaw
- limited jaw movement
- limited mouth opening
- partial or complete jaw dislocation
- swelling of your jaw
- jaw pain or tenderness when touched or manually moved
- scar tissue around your joints
Certain medical conditions can cause symptoms similar to those of TMJ disorders. A doctor will carry out a physical examination and conduct any necessary tests to rule out these conditions before diagnosing a TMJ disorder.
Conditions causing facial pain
Conditions that commonly cause facial pain include:
- facial or cranial nerve irritation (neuralgia)
- post-herpetic neuralgia, which is damage to your nerves after a shingles infection
- sinusitis, which is inflammation of your sinuses
- salivary gland disorders
- carotidynia, which is a rare type of vascular disorder, which presents with atypical face and neck pain
Conditions causing mouth pain
Conditions that commonly cause mouth pain include:
- dental cavities
- dental abscesses
- erupting teeth
- gum disease
Conditions causing headaches
Conditions that commonly cause headaches include:
- migraine
- cluster headaches
- temporal arteritis, which is inflammation of the arteries in the sides of your head
Conditions causing ear pain and congestion
Conditions that commonly cause ear pain or congestion include:
- injuries to your ear
- middle ear infections
- ear barotrauma, which is an ear injury resulting from pressure differences between your middle and outer ear
- eustachian tube dysfunction, which is a blockage within the tubes that connect your middle ears to your upper throat
Consider seeing a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- pain that interferes with your day-to-day life
- pain that interrupts your sleep
- difficulty eating and drinking
- repeated bouts of pain and discomfort
A doctor can fully examine you and run tests to find the cause of your symptoms.
The first step in treating a TMJ disorder is with conservative treatments. These are effective in around
- resting your jaw as much as possible
- performing exercises for TMJ disorder, such as jaw exercises, chin tucks, and neck mobility exercises
- applying warm compresses to painful areas
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers to ease your pain
- eating soft foods
- managing stress levels
Additional treatments include:
- wearing a mouthguard to help maintain proper jaw alignment during sleep
- temporary dental appliance called a “splint” to help improve your jaw function and ease pain
- onabotulinum toxin A (Botox) injections at the site of your jaw pain
- prescription pain relievers to ease pain
- benzodiazepines to help
relieve facial muscle spasms
Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about TMJ disorders.
Do TMJ disorders go away on their own?
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How do you test yourself for TMJ disorders?
There’s no standard self-test for TMJ disorders. But the “three-finger test” can help to identify limited mouth opening (trismus), which can be a symptom of TMJ disorders.
The three-finger test involves placing three stacked fingers between your upper and lower teeth. If your mouth can’t open wide enough to accommodate your fingers, this may indicate trismus. It’s important to note that this test is not a diagnostic tool.
What things can make TMJ disorders worse?
Extreme jaw movements can worsen TMJ disorders. Try to avoid the following if you have a TMD:
- wide yawning
- chewing gum
- singing loudly
- jaw clenching or teeth grinding
- stress and anxiety
Symptoms of TMJ disorders may include jaw pain, jaw popping and clicking, and ear pain. Signs of a TMJ disorder that a doctor may look for when making a diagnosis include jaw misalignment, malocclusion, and limited mouth opening.
Doctors typically recommend conservative treatments for TMJ disorders, such as jaw exercises, applying warm compresses, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Sometimes, symptoms resolve without the need for medical treatment.