What Problems Can TMJ Disorder Lead To?

The problem with many oral health concerns is that, given enough time, they grow worse and cause several other concerns with your oral health. This is especially true with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which impacts your jaw joints’ and muscles’ ability to function properly. TMJ disorder and its impact on your jaw function can grow worse over time, but also, it can lead to the development of one or more other concerns that will also increase in severity the longer they’re left untreated.

Chronic teeth-grinding, or bruxism

The chronic grinding of your teeth is a separate condition than the development of TMJ disorder. However, bruxism and TMJ disorder are closely related, and many patients who experience one will experience the other if the condition isn’t addressed promptly. Bruxism can result when your TMJs become so damaged, misaligned, or otherwise compromised that they begin to shift, spasm, or move around in an effort to find a comfortable position. On the other hand, grinding your teeth constantly can place excessive wear on your TMJs, leading to or exacerbating your TMJ disorder.

Damaged and/or misaligned teeth

In addition to chronic teeth-grinding, another common condition that’s commonly related to TMJ disorder is the misalignment and/or damage of your teeth. TMJ disorder directly impacts the way your bite functions, which means it can throw your bite’s balance off when you bite and chew. One or more teeth can be exposed to excessive amounts of your bite pressure due to this imbalance, which can significantly wear them down or damage them. The force of an imbalanced bite can also affect the alignment of your teeth, causing one or more of them to become crooked.

Chronic headaches, migraines, and more

TMJ disorder can sometimes be difficult to detect on your own because the symptoms aren’t always directly related to your oral health. For example, many people who have TMJ disorder suffer from constant, recurring headaches or migraines, which is largely attributed to the disturbance of the nerve group that controls your jaw movement. Along with chronic headaches and migraines, you might also experience pain and ringing in your ears (tinnitus), sore facial muscles, and more.

Find out how to alleviate your TMJ problem

If you develop TMJ disorder, then the problem with your jaw’s joints and function could lead to a host of other oral health concerns, as well. To learn more, schedule your appointment by calling Healthy Smiles in Gary, IN, today at 219-938-2637.