When Should I See A Dentist in Glendale, CA For TMJ?

First and foremost, you might be wondering what a TMJ is and why you would need to see a dentist for it. TMJ stands for Temporomandibular Joint; it affects the muscles that are responsible for chewing. These joints connect the jawbone and the skull, and when you start to feel some discomfort around it, TMJ becomes a disorder, which may require you a trip to your dentist at the soonest time possible. Luckily though, not all TMJ cases will require an immediate dental visit as they can be managed through some self-care practices and non-surgical treatments, but they can be quite tricky to diagnose as some symptoms may manifest in ways that don’t seem to be affecting your jaw itself. Most people don’t even know they have such a condition! As devoted dental practitioners, it is part of our duty to provide people with relevant information that will improve their dental health. In line with that, we have listed down some of the most common signs and symptoms of a TMJ disorder to be on the lookout for, which you may read further below.

Symptom # 1: Persistent pain around your jaw, ears, and cheeks

If you feel some type of consistent discomfort or pain in your jaws, ears, cheeks, and even your neck, whether it is mild or excruciating, then this increases your probability of having a TMJ disorder. The jaw, as we know, is one of the major parts of the mouth that is used for chewing. If you’ve been experiencing difficulty in doing so for quite some time, it’s best to let your dentist examine you to prevent your condition from becoming anything severe.

Symptom # 2: Clicking or popping sound coming from the joint

If you seem to notice that there seems to be something that clicks or pops whenever you move your jaw, that could be the inflamed joint in the area. You can test for this on your own by gently pressing a finger on the joint in front of your ear. Try to feel for its movement as you open your mouth wide. If there’s a tender feel to it and you feel a click on the joint, then it can signal that you may be experiencing TMJ disorder. If the pain and discomfort persist, we urge you to visit your dentist at the soonest time possible.

Symptom # 3: Frequent headaches and an unusual facial discomfort

Remember when we said earlier that some symptoms of TMJ disorder do not manifest in your jaw area all the time? Experiencing headaches accompanied by an unusual facial discomfort is some of those sneaky symptoms you need to be on the lookout for. You might be wondering how this is even possible when they don’t seem to be that interconnected. Well, not exactly. Although the jaw is located in the lower part of the face and may just be important while chewing, it greatly has an impact on the overall movement of the entire face. The reason why TMJ causes headaches as well is due to the joint connecting the skull and jawbone. If still persistent and left untreated, it might start affecting your daily function. Consulting a TMJ specialist right away comes in a high recommendation.

Symptom # 4: Difficulty in chewing and the locking of the jaw

We have mentioned earlier that not all TMJ disorders are severe and can even resolve themselves through some self-care practices. However, there are some occasions where TMJ disorder can reach extreme cases where difficulty in chewing is just the tip of the iceberg. The worst thing that can happen is when your jaw locks; you won’t be able to close your mouth or open it. That’s when you’ll know that a TMJ case has gone bad and will need immediate attention as soon as possible.

Consult a TMJ Specialist in Infinite Dental Wellness Glendale, CA

While you may be able to self-diagnose these TMJ disorder symptoms, you can confirm this with the professional help of a TMJ Specialist in Infinite Dental Wellness. As a team of seasoned dental experts in Glendale, CA, our years of practice have exposed us to various dental cases, including those with this type of condition which we have treated effectively. We recommend coming in for treatment at the first sign of discomfort and irritation so we can take the necessary precautionary actions before it turns severe. Our dental clinic in Glendale, CA is equipped with the latest technology that will enable us to give you the best dental treatment experience you can have. Book an appointment with us now at (818) 541-1110.