Is TMJ a serious health condition?

Left untreated, TMJ disorder can lead to significant health problems, including chronic pain and inflammation. It can also cause bite issues, tooth erosion and long-term conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, depression and anxiety.

Is TMJ considered a medical condition?

Because TMJ can be a medical problem, a dental problem, or a combination of both, it is beneficial to understand what is causing the patient's disorder before creating a treatment plan.

How serious is my TMJ?

The chronic form of TMJ, which isn't as common, is much more serious. "The concern with chronic TMJ dislocation is that eventually the tendons, muscles, cartilage and the AE become damaged, leading to arthritis, nerve damage and possibly, permanent dislocation," says Dr.

What will happen if TMJ is not treated?

Although not life threatening, if TMJ disorder is left untreated, it can contribute to significant discomfort and tension. Chronic pain can even lead to the development of diseases like anxiety and depression.

Can TMJ cause other health problems?

Some people have other health problems that co-exist with TMJ disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances or fibromyalgia, a painful condition that affects muscles and other soft tissues throughout the body.

TMJ and TMD: Symptoms, Relief and Self-Care

Can TMJ affect your brain?

Not only does having chronic pain from TMJ disorder cause less-than cognitive function, the actual anatomy of the brain can be different in those who suffer from TMJ pain too. A study by Moayedi and colleagues found changes in white matter in the brains of TMJ patients.

Can TMJ affect the heart?

TMD has been associated with cardiac arrhythmia. Characteristics of arrhythmia include irregular or abnormally fast or slow heartbeats. Arrhythmias, while often innocuous, can be fatal. Dizziness, fainting, chest pain, fatigue, and cardiac arrest are some common symptoms.

Will I have TMJ forever?

Clenching and grinding of teeth are two of the major causes of TMJ pain. However, this is not an irreversible condition, and with proper treatment, one may be able to cure TMJ pain permanently. For starters, you must stop any habits of teeth grinding or clenching, and anything that puts pressure on the joint.

Does TMJ get worse over time?

Temporomandibular joint disease, or TMJ, is a complex condition that often worsens over time. Typically caused by the misalignment of the teeth, TMJ can erode the joint capsule between the skull and the jawbone.

Can an MRI show TMJ?

MRI is a noninvasive technique, considered to be the gold standard in imaging the soft tissue components of the TMJ. MRI is used to evaluate the articular disc in terms of location and morphology. Moreover, the early signs of TMD and the presence of joint effusion can be determined.

Why is my TMJ getting worse?

Stress. When you're feeling stressed out, it's natural for your body to strain the muscles in your neck and head. As you do this, it puts more strain on the muscles next to your jaw which will make your TMJ symptoms feel even worse.

Can TMJ damage your ear?

Inflammation in the TMJ can have a direct effect on the ears because the joint is adjacent to the ear. It can cause blocked Eustachian tubes, which can lead to negative effects on hearing, such as feelings of stuffiness or clogging, pain, and hearing loss.

How long does TMJ take to recover?

For most adults, the treatment averages anywhere from 18 months to three years. Therapies like massaging or stretching the jaw, stretching the neck, and stress reduction exercises can instantly provide some relief. Still, it may take anywhere from weeks to months to see the full benefits.

Can TMJ become infected?

Septic arthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) presents as a severe infection with fever, pain, swelling, redness, and hypofunction in the affected joint. It is also characterized by preauricular edema and trismus1,2.

What will a dentist do for TMJ?

Treatment form an orthodontist can alleviate TMJ symptoms in many cases. If your TMJ comes from teeth grinding or clenching, your dentist may recommend that you wear a custom dental appliance. Often called a bite plate or a splint, this appliance will keep your upper teeth from grinding against your lower teeth.

Can you live with TMJ?

You can still live a happy and healthy life with TMJ.

For those suffering from TMJ, typical symptoms can include, headaches that range from minor to debilitating, facial pain around the eyes and ears, and neck and upper-back pain and muscle spasms.

Does TMJ cause weight gain?

Weight Loss

One of the most common side effects of TMJ is that you are unable to eat because your jaw won't open, or eating becomes too painful or exhausting to do it often. This can lead to unhealthy weight loss. Although the average American can spare a few pounds, people with TMJ can become dangerously underweight.

Can TMJ lead to arthritis?

If you have TMJ disorder, you may experience symptoms like jaw clicking or soreness. However, these common signs are unfortunately only the beginning. If TMJ disorder isn't treated, it can lead to various types of arthritis in the jaw, making it difficult for you to eat, speak, and smile as you normally would.

Can TMJ get worse if not treated?

If you do not seek treatment, your TMJ symptoms may worsen–this includes your jaw pain. Chronic refers to a long-developing symptom or syndrome. When you do not deal with your jaw pain, it can turn from being occasional to being constant for a long-while.

When is surgery needed for TMJ?

Your doctor may recommend TMJ surgery if: You feel consistent, intense pain or tenderness when you open or close your mouth. You can't open or close your mouth all the way. You have trouble eating or drinking because of jaw pain or immobility.

Can TMJ make u tired?

TMJ disorders cause the misalignment of your jaw. This can cause your jaw muscles to block your airway and therefore contributes to snoring or even sleep apnea. Symptoms like these cause difficulty getting a good night's rest for individuals. It can lead to fatigue throughout the day.

Can TMJ affect your legs?

The back is prone to TMJ related pain, as it becomes strained in order to maintain the body's balance. This tension can lead to numbness in your extremities, so if you're experiencing any tingling sensations in your arms, legs, fingers or toes, it could be a sign of a TMJ disorder.

Can TMJ affect your arm?

A TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder is a common problem that often goes undiagnosed due to the array of symptoms associated with the condition. Arm numbness and/or tingling in the arms and hands could be a sign that you have a TMJ disorder.

Can TMJ cause dementia?

When one or both of these joints misalign, it is called TMD, a temporomandibular joint disorder. Untreated TMD can lead to memory loss as the misalignment of the jaw can lead to chronic pain which affects many parts of your brain.

Can TMJ cause short term memory loss?

New studies have indicated that TMJ-related pain has the potential to cause lapses in memory and memory loss, which may lead to serious consequences. After all, forgetting where you left a personal item is one thing; forgetting key work-related details or missing a doctor's appointment is way more consequential.