Related Articles

Temporomandibular joint syndrome is a disease that is caused by the swelling of the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. It causes difficulty in opening the mouth and moving the jaw. It is also often painful for them to do such. It also causes headaches, nausea and sometimes, infection of the mouth.

A variety of treatments are available to patients. Granting that it is caught early, the swelling can be corrected with jaw exercises or the use of a nighttime biofeedback headband. If the condition becomes too severe though, it will need long term treatment and sometimes, patients need to go under the knife in order for the malfunction to be corrected. As you can see, being able to diagnose the condition early is very important so one needs to know the various TMJ symptoms.

There are many TMJ symptoms but the thing is, not all of them may be present to a sufferer. This varied difference of indications can be attributed to the fact that the condition is caused by a myriad of things. One of its causes can be a dental problem. Unaligned teeth causes the jaw to contract unusually, pressuring the joint when the mouth is moved. Lacking an overbite may also cause the syndrome.

The joint may also be swollen by using the jaw excessively. If one chews gum excessively, he or she may experience temporomandibular joint disease. Clenching the teeth unconsciously during sleep is another cause. An injury to the jaw may 'traumatize' the joint, causing to swell.

TMJ symptoms include: difficulty in biting or chewing, clicking or popping noises when opening or closing the mouth, earaches and headaches in the morning, hearing loss, migraines, pain in the jaw and reduced ability to open or close the mouth. Tinnitus is also considered as a symptom of this disease. Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the ear but an external source is absent.

If you are experiencing any of this, it's best to see a doctor soon. If you have a dental problem and you think that it is the cause, then you may also see a dentist. As mentioned, being able to have this condition diagnosed early is very important as it can spell the difference between a short-term treatment and a long-term one.

Temporomandibular joint syndrome causes pain in the jaw and difficulty in moving your mouth. It can be treated with simple exercises but if the case is too severe, the patient may need to go under the knife. An operation can be avoided by knowing TMJ symptoms and having an early diagnosis.