TMD, short for Temporomandibular Disorder, comes in many forms and covers numerous problems that occur with the teeth, muscles and joints. Due to the varied nature of the things that can cause TMD, the signs and symptoms can be very different from person to person. The issues can be painful and affect your ability to eat and speak, or can be happening silently. The causes range from a traumatic accident that injures the head and neck to grinding or clenching your teeth, and can include medication, stress or even ergonomics as the triggers. If you are concerned that you may have TMD, also commonly referred to as TMJ, ask your dentist to complete a joint and muscle exam, as well as complete an analysis of your bite. Often a simple solution like wearing a nightguard can manage your symptoms and prevent your TMD from becoming a serious, chronic concern.
Symptoms of TMD:
- Temporal Headache (on the side of your head over your ear or across your forehead)
- Stiffness when opening and closing your mouth
- Muscle fatigue in your face when chewing
- Pain when yawning, chewing, smiling or talking
- Pain in and around your ear over the jaw joint
- Inability to open wide enough to eat a hamburger
- Mouth locking in an open or closed position
- Noise in your jaw joint when you open or close
Signs of TMD that your dentist or hygienist can observe before you have symptoms:
- Inflammation in your facial muscles
- Inflammation in your jaw joints
- Damage to the cartilage in your jaw joints
- Loss of tooth enamel due to grinding
- Cracks & Fractures in your teeth as a result of tooth clenching
- Limited ability to move your lower jaw