If you experience jaw pain when chewing, frequent headaches, or clicking sounds when you open your mouth, the cause might be more than everyday tension. These symptoms can point to temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMJ or TMD.
If you have concerns about this condition, you’ve come to the right place for answers. Our dental team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group in Washington, DC, has experience treating TMJ and can help resolve your issue.
Your temporomandibular joints connect your jaw to your skull and allow you to talk, eat, yawn, and smile. When your jaw joints or nearby muscles become inflamed, routine movements that you rarely think about (e.g., chewing or speaking) can become painful and stiff.
TMJ disorder may affect one or both sides of your jaw. It can also progress if you don’t address it early.
Jaw pain or tenderness is one of the most noticeable symptoms of TMJ disorder. The pain often worsens when chewing, speaking, or opening your mouth wide. Some people also experience jaw stiffness, especially in the morning or after extended talking.
Headaches are another common sign. TMJ-related headaches often feel like tension headaches and may start at your temples or spread across your forehead. Your jaw muscles are closely connected to your head and neck, which is why jaw issues can easily trigger recurring headaches.
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds in your jaw are also typical symptoms. You may hear these noises when you open or close your mouth.
While occasional clicking can be normal, you should schedule an evaluation with us at K Street Dental if you experience persistent sounds with pain or restricted movement.
With TMJ disorder, you may experience facial soreness, ear pain, or a sense of fullness in your ears, even when there’s no infection present.
You might also notice neck or shoulder tension, sensitive teeth, or ringing in your ears, or your jaw might occasionally lock or feel stuck.
Stress and teeth grinding, also called bruxism, are common contributors to TMJ issues. Other causes may include jaw injury, arthritis, poor posture, or bite misalignment.
After pinpointing the cause of your symptoms, we create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Care often starts with noninvasive options like jaw exercises, stress reduction, custom night guards, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications.
If your symptoms continue, we may suggest such options as steroid injections, bite adjustments, or orthodontic treatment. In more serious cases when other therapies haven’t helped, we may recommend surgery.
Seeking care early can reduce your risk of chronic pain and long-term complications.
If jaw pain, headaches, or clicking sounds interfere with your daily life, it’s time to have us evaluate your symptoms so you can take the first step toward lasting relief and a more comfortable smile.
Contact our office to schedule an appointment online today.
