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How bad can TMJ make you feel?

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How bad can TMJ make you feel?

TMJ can cause constant pain in some patients who struggle with jaw clenching and teeth grinding. Some patients struggle with insomnia because of this pain or attempt to self-medicate, which can be dangerous. Symptoms have also been known to contribute to feelings of depression or anxiety.

What is the pain like with TMJ?

Signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint dysfunction include the following: Pain or tenderness in the jaw, especially at the area of the joint. Popping/clicking of the jaw (crepitus) Pain that feels like a toothache.

How do you know if your TMJ is bad?

Symptoms of TMJ

  1. Pain or tenderness in your jaw joint.
  2. Pain in your neck or shoulders.
  3. Tired feeling or pain in your face.
  4. Swelling on the side of your face.
  5. Pain in or around your ear.
  6. Pain while chewing or an uncomfortable bite.
  7. Toothaches.
  8. Headaches.

What does TMJ pressure feel like?

TMJ issues sometimes manifest as pain in the face, neck, or shoulders. Some sufferers have chronic sinus pain with no signs of infection. Others have episodes of eye pain and pressure, unexplained tooth sensitivity, or mysterious neck and shoulder pain or stiffness. Many nerves in these areas come from the brain stem.

What can TMJ be mistaken for?

Conditions That May Be Mistaken for TMJ Disorder

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia. Just as you have two temporomandibular joints on each side of the face, you also have two trigeminal nerves that control your jaw.
  • Cluster, Migraine, or Tension Headaches.
  • Sinus Issues.
  • Other Causes of TMJ Pain.

What should you not do with TMJ?

Your PT can help determine what you should be avoiding if you have TMJ.

  • Avoid Chewing Gum.
  • Avoid Eating Hard Foods.
  • Avoid Non-Functional Jaw Activites.
  • Avoid Resting on Your Chin.
  • Avoid Chewing Only on One Side.
  • Try to Stop Clenching Your Teeth.
  • Stop Slouching.
  • Stop Waiting to Get Treatment.

What can be mistaken for TMJ?

What can happen if TMJ goes untreated?

Eventually, TMJ disorder can lead to tinnitus or even permanently compromised hearing. Inner ear problems can also produce difficulties with balance and recurring dizziness. Similarly, vision can be compromised by untreated TMJ symptoms. TMJ can also lead to serious jaw problems.

Can TMJ be confused with something else?

Chronic cluster, migraine, or tension headaches may be mistaken for TMJ disorder, especially since TMJ disorder itself can cause such headaches. Chronic sinus pain and sinus infections can also produce pain around the temples that can feel like TMJ disorder.

Why do I suddenly have TMJ?

While chronic TMJ may be caused by damage to the joint, arthritis, or illness, sudden TMJ has a different set of likely causes. Trauma or damage to the jaw itself is a likely one. As with any joint, the jaw can be bruised, dislocated, or suffer other damage if it sustains impact of some kind.

What foods are bad for TMJ?

Some of the worst foods for TMJ pain are:

  • Gum and chewy or sticky candies.
  • Bagels, crusty bread, and other chewy baked goods.
  • Apples, carrots, and other hard fruits and vegetables.
  • Chewy or tough meat.
  • Hard nuts.
  • Ice (put it in your drinks, use it in a cold compress for swelling, but don’t bite into it!)