So when the TMJ is affected, pain can spread throughout the eyes, ears, mouth, forehead, cheeks, tongue, teeth and throat. Even the muscles of the neck and upper back can become involved. Minor TMJ discomfort will usually go away without treatment.
When the temporomandibular joint is particularly inflamed, it can even cause pain elsewhere in the face—the cheeks, under the eyes, even the forehead. TMJ pain can be like a vicious circle: muscle tension can cause TMJ pain, then TMJ pain can also cause even more muscle tension, which is felt elsewhere in the face.
But did you know that TMJ disorders can affect your facial appearance? As your TMJ disorder develops, you might notice slight changes in your face like asymmetry. Learn why TMD causes facial changes, how to prevent it, and what Ryan Clancy, DMD, Woburn and Winchester dentist, can do to treat it.
Jaw Joint Stretch
Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, behind your teeth. Then use your tongue to push your top teeth forward and, while doing that, slowly open your mouth, stretching those tight jaw muscles. Stop doing this when you feel pain. You can repeat this ten times.
Facial tension is a common response to stress and can also be linked to a TMJ-related problem. If you feel stressed, you might experience tension in various parts of your body, such as the face, neck, and shoulders.
Tingling or numbness – TMJ can induce tingling or numbness in the face or jaw. Ear problems – TMJ can cause a range of ear problems, including ear pain, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and difficulty hearing.
Tired Facial Muscles
The muscles of your face may work hard to compensate for TMJ. If your face feels tired or saggy on one side, let your dentist know. Some people have persistent discomfort, while others experience it only after using the jaw.
Stress and anxiety are common causes of muscle tension. A person may clench their jaw or grind their teeth without noticing it, when stressed, and over time this can cause the muscles to tighten up. Stress or anxiety can also cause a person to clench their fists or lead to tension in the shoulder and neck muscles.
Marked by pain and stiffness in the jaw, face, and neck, TMJ affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to the side of your skull. By using massage on the muscles surrounding the temporomandibular joint, TMJ patients may be able to lessen pain and ease TMJ symptoms.
Facial nerve injury is a well-recognized risk of TMJ surgeries regardless of the surgical approach. The actual reported incidence of damage, however, varies among studies from 1% to 55%. [5] According to Keith,[12] the incidence of facial nerve injury resulting from TMJ surgery ranges from 1% to 25%.
Noticeable facial swelling is a fairly uncommon symptom of TMJ disorders, but it does happen. You may be more likely to suffer facial swelling if you have a severe, untreated TMJ disorder or significant jaw misalignment. As your TMJ gets more irritated, inflammation develops around the joint capsule of your jaw.
TMJ Symptoms Will Likely Spread
So, yes, it is possible to develop TMJ on just one side of the face. However, the condition probably won't stay isolated like that.
Problems with the TMJ
Problems can arise from many structures in and around the joint, including the muscles, joint surfaces and a small disc which sits inside. Muscle imbalances are common and can lead to stiffness or pain (or both) when opening and closing our mouth.
TMJ is related to different muscles that have the function to move and protect the joint itself. The muscles that function to close the jaw are masseter, temporal, lateral or external pterygoid. The muscles that open the jaw are medial or internal pterygoid, geniohyoideus, mylohyoideus; digastric.
The muscles involved in temporomandibular disorders are the muscles of the mastication: temporalis, masseter, medial and lateral pterygoid muscles.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research classifies TMD by the following: Myofascial pain. This is the most common form of TMD. It results in discomfort or pain in the fascia (connective tissue covering the muscles) and muscles that control jaw, neck and shoulder function.
There Are Many Non-Surgical Treatments for TMJ
By alleviating the pressure on the joint, you'll likely experience relief within a week. While you wait for your night guard to be made, your dentist may recommend that you switch to soft foods, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, and work to reduce stress.
Understanding TMJ
Since the muscles are always fighting against the bone and tooth alignment, the strain can lead to jaw, tooth and facial pain over time. This pressure can affect nerves in the area. These nerves carry signals between the brain and the face and ears.
Hold the tip of the chin in the right hand with the thumb resting under the chin and the index finger wrapped around the front. Softly push the right hand against the jaw. Slowly start to open the jaw while continuing to push against the chin. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly close the mouth.
Yes, TMJ Disorders Cause Dizziness and Lightheadedness
In general, yes, the answer is that TMJ disorders may cause symptoms that a person would describe as "lightheadedness." You may also describe it as dizziness or feeling like you are about to fall.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, trained to handle a variety of diseases, injuries, and defects of the head, neck, mouth, jaw, and face. An otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT specialist. A dentist specializing in jaw disorders (a prosthodontist, or prosthetic dentist)
A variety of modalities can be used to image the TMJ, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cone beam CT, ultrasonography, conventional radiography.