The area below the ear and on the side of the head has a complex joint made up of tendons, muscles and bones and this joint is known as temporomandibular joint. This joint aids in opening and closing the mouth and if there is a problem in this area then every day habits like chewing, yawning and even speaking are affected. A number of TMJ symptoms are outlined here in this article.
TMJ disorders can be caused by a number of reasons. Stress is a major reason for issues in the TMJ area as clenching your jaw often or grinding your teeth while you are asleep can cause soreness and stiffness in the area. Another major issue could be chewing gum all day or having a habit of biting your nails too often. Constant movement of the jaw can cause wear and tear that eventually leads to trouble.
Apart from that troubles with teeth and trauma to the area can result in a TMJ problem. This could lead to difficulty in moving the jaw adequately. The TMJ symptoms are different for different people and often misdiagnosed. Although visiting the doctor can sooth your suspicions.
The pain can be concentrated in the ear area for some people often mistaken for an ear infection and therefore not diagnosed correctly. Sometimes the pain is in the temporal area and this leads to headaches which can be severe. The pain is similar to migraine and the true cause may be difficult to spot. This symptom is most commonly found among people.
Patients complain of swollen red mouth area since the jaw is affected hence the natural act of chewing is interfered with. The face may become swollen and red due to stress on the TMJ area. They may even feel light headed and hear popping or crunching sounds. Sometimes the symptoms are accompanied with pain in the same area.
The ears may feel clogged as if filled with air and their hearing may be affected as well. Another misdiagnosed but common symptom is ringing in the ears. Due to the muscular problems patients may even suffer speech abnormalities.
The most uncomfortable symptom is the lock jaw where the jaws may lock in place as the muscles cease or the muscles tighten allowing little room for the mouth to open. This can affect in eating food and chewing. Sometimes the situation may need emergency care and the severe cases have their lives affected adversely.
TMJ patients may need to resort to a liquid diet in case of severe cases. The physician can help ease the pain and sort out the trouble though it may take some time. They normal prescribe medicines to help relax the area and loosen the muscles. Heating agents can help soothe the area as well. Getting rid of nail biting habit or being careful with the area and adding minimum stress should elevate the severe symptoms.
The pain the patient feels can vary from throbbing headaches to throat pain. Other TMJ joint symptoms include pain in the back, neck and overall stiffness.
To get FREE videos on a tmj dentist go to TMJ Toronto. Visit Toronto TMJ for good information about finding a tmj dentist in town for you.
Other Migraine Headache Information:
- Your Questions About Tmj And Braces Carol asks… TMJ….Braces or surgery? I have pretty bad TMJ...
- Here Are A Few Questions About Pressure Headache Causes Linda asks… I have a burst of pressure around the...
- Make These Lifestyle Changes to Find A Migraine Cure Migraines have grown to be a very ordinary neurological condition...
- Here Are A Few Questions About Minor Migraine Symptoms Lisa asks… Is it normal for concussion symptoms reappearing one...
