TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint which is located in front of both ears and is the joint that allows you to move your jaw. It is thus responsible for acts including eating, talking, drinking and other general movements which your jaw goes through during the course of the day. As such, it is one of the hardest working bone joints in the human skeleton.
Because of the complexity of the head and skull, there are a number of complaints people can have on an almost daily basis; from headaches to earache and toothache, and quite often they can all be linked in some way. The same is true with TMJ disorder and the symptoms can often be felt in more areas than just the jaw.
The list of symptoms for TMJ disorder is a long one, and as such it isn’t possible to list every symptom. The following are some of the most common.
General facial discomfort
Pain and soreness in the cheek and jaw muscles is a common symptom, as is the inability to fully open one’s mouth. Another common sign is a jaw that clicks or pops when it moves (this is occasionally accompanied by pain or soreness) and an incorrect bite.
Eye discomfort
Pain and a build up of pressure behind, below and above the eyes is another common symptom, along with light sensitivity.
Ear discomfort
As the ear is another complex system, issues with it are also common and many sufferers complain of general ear ache, balance issues and feelings of itchy and clogged ears.
Head pain
An alarming 80% of sufferers of TMJ disorder complain of common headaches and migraines, as well as sensitivity in the scalp and pain in the back of the head.
The list of TMJ disorder symptoms is much longer than the one here and the disorder can affect a range of ages. If you believe you have TMJ disorder you should contact your doctor or dentist and seek preventive remedies.
