Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint disorders, and affects the joints in your lower jaw that attach your jaw to your head. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), TMJ is caused largely by grinding your teeth at night (see Resources), or by poor head and neck posture. TMJ can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, exercises and in some severe cases, surgery.

Jaw Noise

• People with TMJ tend to hear noise when they open their mouths, yawn and chew. The noises can range from a clicking to a louder popping and cracking. The action may or may not be painful.

Facial Pain

• Facial pain is consistent with TMJ. Usually the pain is an ache that remains dull, rather than a piercing or throbbing pain.

Headaches

• Headaches are common in people who have TMJ. The headache will often originate at the jaw joint and may encompass the entire head or stay on one side.

Joint Limitations

• People with TMJ may have a hard time extending their jaws to their fullest when opening their mouths. Chewing and biting difficulties are common symptoms.

Minimizing Symptoms

• In addition to medications and exercises, treatment for TMJ includes reducing the amount of stress in your life. Stress often causes people to clench their jaw, which can worsen TMJ pain.