TMJ Disorder Side Effects and What to Do About Them

From difficulty chewing to debilitating migraines, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can make daily activities more challenging. But, our Redwood City, CA, dentist is uniquely trained in neuromuscular dentistry to provide long-lasting, effective TMJ treatment.

By addressing misalignments, dysfunction, and disorders of the jaw joint, Dr. Jean E. Barthman can help patients regain control over their oral and overall health. If you’re unsure whether you have a TMJ disorder or not, then keep reading. Dr. Barthman will discuss common TMJ disorder side effects, what you can do about them, and how we can help.

Common Side Effects of TMJ Disorders

There are many symptoms of a TMJ disorder, but some side effects are rarely discussed, including:

• Little-known physical effects
• Mental effects
• Behavioral effects

Let’s break down each of these categories below.

Physical Effects

Persistent jaw pain is the most well-known side effect of a TMJ disorder, but there are several little-known side effects, such as:

• Earaches, headaches, and eye pain
• Difficulty yawning, speaking, or chewing
• Face, head, neck, and back pain
• Popping, locking, or clicking in the jaw joint
• Involuntary teeth clenching (bruxism)
• Limited jaw mobility
• Muscle spasms in the face and jaw

These physical side effects can make normal activities far more challenging. As a result, patients can begin to feel helpless and alone, which can take a major toll on their mental health.

Mental Effects

It’s too often that dentists don’t acknowledge the mental effects of poor oral health on their patients. Our compassionate Redwood City dentist, however, fully acknowledges and respects the connection between oral dysfunction and mental health, including:

• Heightened anxiety
• Worsening depression
• Increased stress

The psychological effects of a TMJ disorder are cyclical, meaning that they can both create and worsen a TMJ disorder. Therefore, our team always considers the mental effects that might be leading to or aggravating the physical effects of a TMJ disorder.

Behavioral Effects

The pain and limited mobility of jaw joint disorders can be an isolating experience for many patients. Some find that they avoid social gatherings, stop contributing to conversations, and discontinue hobbies that they once enjoyed due to a painful TMJ disorder.

What You Can Do About a TMJ Disorder

Patients can find TMJ disorder relief at home with simple lifestyle changes, such as:

• Choosing softer foods
• Practicing mindfulness, yoga, and relaxation exercises
• Working out stress and frustration with physical activity
• Stretching and strengthening tight or weak jaw muscles

At-home remedies are a great place to start, but many patients may not get the relief they seek. That’s where our team of dental experts comes to the rescue.

How We Can Help a TMJ Disorder

Dr. Barthman’s unique experience with neuromuscular dentistry makes her an expert in this highly-competitive field. As such, she offers her patients revolutionary TMJ treatments, like:

• TENSing: Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS) helps relax tight jaw, face, neck, and back muscles for immediate TMJ relief.
• Orthotic Splints: These appliances rest on top of the bottom teeth to guide the jaw into better alignment, which can take up to 250 pounds of pressure off of the TMJ.

Talk to Us About TMJ Treatments

You don’t have to live with the pain and frustration of a TMJ disorder. Contact our Redwood City dental clinic now to start living a healthier, happier, pain-free life. Reach us online here or talk to our team directly by calling (650) 367-4967.