Are you having jaw pain that seems to never go away? You may have heard of TMD or TMJ and started to wonder, “Is that what’s going on?’” TMD, also commonly known as TMJ, stands for temporomandibular disorder. The temporomandibular joint is the source of symptoms and pain for people suffering from TMD. Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms and signs of TMD, so you know when it’s time to seek TMD treatment.

What Is TMD?

TMD is when the temporomandibular joint becomes irritated or inflamed. The TMJ connects your lower jaw to the skull and can get irritated from an improper bite, arthritis, and physical trauma. TMD affects muscles around the jaw and can be very painful. TMD lasts anywhere from days to months and can be recurring depending on the root cause.

Signs and Symptoms of TMD

Jaw Pain

Jaw pain is the most common symptom of TMJ and is one of the most debilitating. Pain can come from the joint itself or from tight muscles around the jaw. The pain can feel like aching, burning, tightness, or even sharp pain.

Teeth Problems

Teeth issues are a common sign and cause of TMD. Tightened muscles and grinding can lead to damaged and sore teeth.

Issues With Sleeping

The pain, tightness, and grinding of teeth can, unfortunately, lead to issues with sleep. These problems can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep.

Headaches

Muscle tightness, grinding, and excessive jaw movement can lead to headaches caused by TMD. The headaches can be similar to other tension headaches. This makes TMD headaches hard to identify without other symptoms present.

Seeking Treatment

Many of the things that cause TMD actually stem from your teeth. That’s why Dr. Ania Mohelicki, DDS, provides services to help alleviate TMD and its symptoms. Dr. Ania understands that TMD is a complex issue and will develop a treatment plan for your situation. Dr. Ania and her team make it their mission to provide you with quick, comfortable, and effective treatments for your TMD. Let Dr. Ania’s results speak for themselves, and contact her office at (303) 443-0998 today.