When to suspect TMJ

Having jaw pain that can affect your day is no fun, particularly if you are a working professional who needs to be functional and efficient. It's important to differentiate temporomandibular joint pain (TMJ) from other potential causes of jaw pain.

Typical TMJ symptoms

• Palpable pain at the joint of the upper/lower jaw
• Clicking and popping when opening jaw
• painful chewing (mastication)
• shooting pain toward the ear
• jaw tightness and stiffness

When it's less likely TMJ

• Open jaw relieves pain (eustachian tube dysfunction and sinus issue)
• Ear pain when pushing on the ear cartilage (tragus)
• Fever with ear pain (middle ear infection)
• Drainage out of ear (outer ear infection)

When to consider a healthcare assessment

• Neck and shoulder pains
• Facial pain with the jaw pain
• locking jaw or difficulty closing
• Worsening pain and prolonged (unresolving)
• Chronic headaches with visual disturbance or dizziness
• https://tmj.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TMJ_Assoc_Brochure.pdf

Lifestyle modifications to reduce the risk of worsening TMJ

• Good sleep hygiene to reduce stress
• Stay hydrated to reduce inflammation
• Daily jaw stretches are preventative when suspecting TMJ
• Mouthguard for grinding at night if stress management is insufficient

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