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Signs & Symptoms of TMJ

TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, which affects the joints in the jawbone, where the lower and upper jaws meet. In some cases, TMJ can become severe enough to warrant surgery. However, if treated early on, those who suffer from TMJ are able to find relief and live symptom-free.

  1. Popping and Clicking

    • One of the most common symptoms of TMJ is a popping in the jaw when you open and close your mouth. This popping can occur during eating, while chewing gum, or even while yawning or talking. It may be a quiet click that only you can hear or it may be a loud popping noise that others in the vicinity can hear.

    Clenching and Grinding

    • Another very common symptom of TMJ is tooth clenching. This is when you, without even realizing it, clench your teeth constantly throughout a 24-hour period, even at night. Not only do you clench your teeth, you will often grind your teeth as well. This grinding can be especially troublesome at night, sometimes resulting in broken or cracked teeth.

    Frozen Mouth

    • A frozen mouth is the inability to open your mouth, partially or fully, or close it once it is open. Often, you can manually "unfreeze" your jaw, although this is not always the case. This freezing can occur for one of two reasons. Sometimes a frozen mouth occurs because the jaw has dislocated during opening or closing. More commonly, a frozen mouth is the result of tensed muscles. This is especially noticeable in the morning after a night of clenching and grinding, but it can also occur during the day. In this case, the muscles have frozen into place.

    Headaches

    • As a result of the joint problems and muscle tension that accompany TMJ, headaches are another sign of the disorder. The surrounding muscles are directly related to the head muscles and the tension will often spread to them, causing frequent headaches.

    Neck and Shoulder Pain

    • Just as the jaw pain and tension can radiate up into the head muscles, it can also radiate to the neck and shoulders. This often causes stiffness and pain in these areas as well.

    Dizziness

    • A more severe sign and symptom of TMJ is dizziness. Occasionally, the clenching, grinding, and muscle tension in the jaw will affect the inner ear, resulting in dizziness.

    Tinnitus

    • The muscle tension in the jaw can also result in hearing difficulty and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). This, too, is a more advanced symptom of TMJ.

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