In the midst of hectic day-to-day schedules, many teens and adults in Houston brush off small pains or dental issues. But when jaw pain becomes a daily part of your routine, it is not easy to overlook. We’ll share some of the most common signs that suggest you need to schedule a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) evaluation as soon as possible.
Signs You Need a TMJ Evaluation
Pain in your jaw that doesn’t improve
Occasional jaw pain isn’t a big issue. You may wake up with a sore jaw after chewing something hard or clenching your jaw during sleep. This type of pain resolves in a couple of hours when you rest.
Frequent jaw pain, however, is not normal. Some people complain that they feel pain in their jaw while eating and sometimes even at rest.
If you’re waking up daily with a sore jaw or tension in your facial muscles, you should schedule a TMJ evaluation.
Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
When you yawn after waking up, does your jaw feel stiff? It can signal joint dysfunction. Many of our patients in Houston tell us that they aren’t able to open and close their mouths as easily as they could before, or that they feel as if their jaw is “stuck”.
Clicking or popping sounds
Hearing clicking or popping sounds from your jaw joints is a very common TMJ symptom. They don’t always mean that something is seriously wrong, but you shouldn’t ignore them.
Get a TMJ assessment from our Houston dentist to know if clicking from your jaw joints is really something to worry about.
Frequent headaches
TMJ issues are not just limited to your jaw. They also affect the facial muscles and nerves in the surrounding area. You may have recurring pain in your forehead or temples when you wake up.
Trouble chewing food
When your TMJ is inflamed or stiff, it can become quite difficult to chew comfortably, especially hard foods. Consistent pain in your jaw while chewing food could also be because of an impacted tooth. An evaluation is necessary in both cases.
What Happens During a TMJ Evaluation?
When you visit our clinic in Houston for TMJ issues, we’ll first discuss all the symptoms you have been experiencing. Our dentist then asks you to open and close your mouth a few times and move your jaw sideways to see how well your TMJs are functioning.
We measure how wide you can open your lower jaw. Our dentist also listens for any clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint.
Following this extensive evaluation, we may recommend an imaging test (X-ray or MRI) if necessary. It helps determine the root cause and plan your TMJ treatment accordingly.
Final Words
If you are struggling with jaw pain and headaches every morning, along with trouble chewing food, you need to seek professional care. Visit our dental experts at Hickerson Dental & Associates today or call us at (713) 782-3123 to book your TMJ assessment.