Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is painful because it impacts bone and muscular activity throughout the head and face.
As a TMJ specialist in the greater Indianapolis area, I’m here to let you know that this disorder can manifest as many symptoms – not just jaw pain.
You and your partner may believe these are isolated symptoms, but they could very well indicate a TMJ or Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) diagnosis.
Many people avoid seeking treatment for this condition because they believe surgery is the only solution. As a TMJ dentist, I can tell you this isn’t true: many non-invasive treatment options are both available and accessible.
TMJ Dentist Breaks Down TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder refers to a broad range of conditions that impact the jaw joint which is located just beneath your ear. These disorders can affect either the muscles or bones throughout your face and head.
What Causes TMJ?
Lots of factors can cause this disorder. For many patients, it may be caused by several conditions rather than just one.
- Regularly clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth
- High levels of stress that cause chronic tension throughout the face and body
- Arthritis (Just like the knees or elbows)
- Discs in the jaw joint gradually shift out of place due to trauma from an injury
TMJ Dentist Explains 6 Signs Your Partner Might Have TMJ Disorder or TMD
Nothing in the body is isolated. When one part is injured or not functioning correctly, this can create symptoms in other areas that – at first glance – don’t seem related.
1. Your Partner Experiences Migraines or Chronic Headaches
Headaches and migraines are a hallmark symptom of TMJ or TMD. Tension is often the cause of chronic headaches and migraines.
Unfortunately, many doctors treat the symptoms of headaches without looking for the root cause which could very well be TMJ due to long-term jaw tension.
2. Frequently Complaining About Back or Neck Pain
Just like tension in the jaw can cause inflammation in the head leading to headaches, it can also spread throughout the neck and back.
Your muscles and bones are all connected: they work in unison to keep you flexible and agile. As a result, tension in one area (like your partner’s jaw) can spread to other areas of the body – especially nearby areas like the neck and back.
3. Your Partner’s Balance Isn’t the Best
All the yoga in the world won’t help your partner’s balance if they’re suffering from TMJ. Most of the body’s balance ability comes from the inner ear.
Inflammation or misalignment in this area can trigger vertigo, dizziness, or general coordination problems.
4. You Can’t Sleep Due to Their Snoring
Snoring and sleep apnea are usually linked to other conditions like obesity or being overweight.
However, this is not always the case because plenty of thin people also experience these symptoms: TMJ could be the culprit. TMJ or TMD could interfere with your partner’s airway or ability to open the jaw.
5. You’d Never Say So but Your Partner Isn’t a Great Kisser
You may not notice if your partner has trouble opening his or her mouth all the way to eat, but you may notice when it’s time for a kiss. Many people with TMJ cannot use the full range of motion throughout the jaw.
This makes activities like eating large bites of food (like stacked sandwiches) and kissing fairly difficult. If your partner usually opts for a peck, he or she could have TMJ.
6. You Have to Repeat Yourself All the Time
Your inner ear and jaw are all connected – that’s why ear, nose, and throat doctors cover all three disciplines.
Inflammation or buildup of fluid in the jaw socket can create unusual symptoms like ringing or congestion in the ears (feeling full) and hearing loss. Your partner may have a hard time hearing what you said the first time.
Schedule a Consultation with a TMJ Specialist in Indianapolis
Myself, your TMJ dentist, has over 20 years of experience diagnosing and treating TMD and TMJ disorder along with all the associated symptoms.
Treating this disorder can have a positive impact on your partner’s physical health and overall quality of life. Plus, think about how great you’ll sleep when they aren’t snoring next to you.
Dr. Mike Deldar – Indianapolis TMJ Specialist, Dentist Noblesville
As a TMJ specialist in Indianapolis, your partner will be in good hands with myself and my team. I have several options for treating TMJ as well as all the nasty symptoms. Contact us, schedule an appointment, or call at (317) 208-0000 today.
