TMJ: Jaw Pain That Won’t Go Away
- Posted on: Feb 15 2019
You never know what may happen as you get older. Body parts that always worked without problem start to complain. You may have a stiff knee in the morning or hear a slight ringing in your ear. You may need glasses to read menus and start to understand the reason for comfortable sneakers coming back in style. By far, one of the most annoying things is when your jaw clicks. Is there an episode of National Geographic on in the background? No, that clicking isn’t a bird, it’s your jaw as you chew.
Keep reading to learn more about TMJ and how we can help you treat it.
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is like a sliding hinge which connects your jaw to your skull. Each side of your jaw has one joint, though both could be experiencing issues. TMJ disorders can cause pain in your jaw joint and even affect the muscles that control your jaw movement.
How do I know if my issue is TMJ?
Identifying TMJ may require the help of a physician, but certain symptoms can help you understand when there is an issue that needs help. Symptoms of TMJ disorders often include:
- Pain in and around your ear
- Pain while chewing or difficulty with chewing
- Aching facial pain
- Locking of the jaw joint that affects the movement of the jaw
- Pain and/or tenderness in the jaw
- Pain in one or both of the jaw joints
You may also experience a clicking sound or grating sensation when you open your mouth or try to chew. Clicking isn’t always a sign of a serious issue: if there’s no pain or limitation of movement, then you may not need treatment for TMJ.
How can I treat TMJ?
Sometimes, the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorders are temporary and can be treated without surgery. If your situation is severe or you are not responding to nonsurgical methods, surgery may be the right choice. Some people with TMJ disorders may benefit from surgery.
Call us at (610) 861-0190 for our Bethlehem location or (610) 973-2090 for our Allentown location today.
Posted in: Uncategorized