What Does a TMJ Flare-Up Feel Like?

Is it daunting to talk, yawn, chew, or even laugh because of jaw pain? If so, your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is out of whack! It could be a tiny joint, but it is vital in helping you carry out your daily tasks and enjoy a quality life. Whenever your TMJ flares up, you must seek TMJ treatment in Sanger because you will not carry out your daily tasks.

The temporomandibular joint could be a mouthful and quite difficult to pronounce; however, it is vital since it connects your jaw (lower) to the skull. So, you can imagine how you would feel when the joint is not working as it should.

Without further ado, let’s explore the TMJ, the symptoms of a flare-up, and how you can treat or prevent a flare-up.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and Its Role in Jaw Movement

In technical terms, the TMJ is a kind of synovial joint connecting the mandible (lower jaw) to the rest of the skull. The TMJ is a complex and vital joint comprising a joint capsule, synovial membrane and articular disc.

The main job of the TMJ is to assist the movements of the lower jaw. The TMJ facilitates the movement of the mandible since it has two compartments.

The first compartment is the superior compartment, which allows the lower jaw to make translational movements. In other words, it means it allows the jaw to make sliding movements. The movements that the superior compartment aids the jaw to make include:

• Protrusion – allowing the lower jaw to move forward
• Retraction – allowing the lower jaw to move backwards
• Right and left lateral deviation – this refers to the chewing and grinding movements of the jaw

The other compartment is the inferior compartment which allows the lower jaw to make rotational movements. The movements that the inferior compartment makes include:

• Depression – this is when you open your mouth. This movement is aided by gravity, but there is resistance because of the muscles, which causes the opening of the mouth.
• Elevation – this is the strong movement of closing your mouth

Mostly, rotation and translational movements occur simultaneously; that’s why you can chew and talk.

Unmasking the Symptoms: How a TMJ Flare-Up Manifests

A TMJ flare-up can be quite debilitating. The pain and discomfort is unpleasant. A flare-up is characterized by a sudden emergence of pain in your ears, jawbone, and surrounding areas close to your TMJ.

You can expect a TMJ flare-up to elicit the following symptoms:

• Ear pain, which could be sharp or dull
• Intermittent or constant jaw pain
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Piercing or throbbing headaches
• Muscle spasms
• General facial and jaw swelling
• Tightness in the jaw
• Ringing in the ears

Once you experience the above symptoms, you have no choice but to seek immediate care from our dentist in Sanger.

The flare-ups can vary from patient to patient, but some common causes might include dehydration, stress, incorrect posture, and problems with your neck muscles. Sometimes, hormonal changes, vitamin D deficiency and certain medications can cause your TMJ to flare up.

The Impact on Daily Life: How TMJ Flare-Ups Can Affect Eating, Speaking, and Sleeping

Since your TMJ plays a vital role in your body, any problem can greatly impact your everyday life. If the pain is debilitating and you experience significant discomfort, performing normal activities such as speaking, eating, and sleeping can be challenging.

Jaw pain could be dull or sharp and worsen when you try to open your mouth to speak or even yawn. If your case is severe, opening your mouth to speak or even eat could be very challenging, leading to other symptoms such as headaches, migraines, and earaches.

If you prolong seeking treatment or the issue is left untreated, you risk developing other conditions, such as ear ringing or dizziness (vertigo). Therefore, it is always prudent to visit our dentist near you whenever you experience any symptoms of TMJ flare-up.

Treatment Options for Managing and Preventing Flare-Ups

Your treatment options for managing TMJ flare-ups depend on the severity and cause of the issue. Therefore, you can expect a variation in treatment. For instance, self-care measures can help reduce discomfort if your case is mild. You can apply something cold or hot to reduce pain and inflammation in such scenarios.

You can also use pain medication to help deal with pain and avoid eating hard or chewy foods to reduce the strain on the joint.

But if it is severe, our dentist in Sanger may decide to use any of the following options:

• Mouthguards
• Medication
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

You can also employ some strategies to prevent TMJ flare-ups, such as:

• Reducing stress
• Avoid certain jaw movements
• Eat soft foods

In any case, contact us at The Sanger Dentist if you have any issues with your TMJ.