The Dangers of Not Treating TMJ Disorder

December 23, 2021

Do you have TMJ Disorder? Then you’re probably all too familiar with the sensation of a popping/clicking jaw, chronic jaw pain, and persistent migraines. Unfortunately, these symptoms can become exacerbated over time, negatively impacting your quality of life in the process. If you haven’t yet sought treatment, keep reading to learn about the dangers of not treating TMJ Disorder.

7 Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

TMJ Disorder is a condition caused by inflammation or damage to the joints that connect the jaw to the surrounding muscles. As a result, the following symptoms can occur:

• Tenderness in the jaw (one or both sides), neck, and face
• Clicking and popping sounds when opening and closing your mouth
• Trouble chewing
• Facial swelling
• Toothaches
• Earaches and hearing problems
• Headaches

The Long-Term Effects of Untreated TMJ Disorder

The above symptoms may not seem like a big deal, but they can take a serious toll on your quality of life in the long run. To start, earaches and neck pain stemming from TMJ Disorder can lead to difficulty sleeping, which can result in irritability, difficulty concentrating, and daytime drowsiness. Furthermore, wear and tear on your teeth from teeth grinding can significantly increase your risk of dental problems. Lastly, the negative effects to your bite can make chewing properly painful and difficult. Over time, this can lead to malnourishment and indigestion, which both can seriously impact your overall well-being for the worse. In short, leaving TMJ Disorder untreated can negatively affect your quality of life, as well as your oral and overall health.

How to Seek Treatment for TMJ Disorder

Seeking treatment for TMJ Disorder starts with a visit to your dentist’s office. After all, dental professionals are experts in jaw development, facial muscles, and conditions like TMJ Disorder. During your appointment, they can take some X-rays, examine your bite, and check the condition of your teeth and gums. After asking you a few questions about your symptoms and concerns, they can determine the root of the problem and recommend some next best steps.

At first, TMJ Disorder may seem like a condition that doesn’t require treatment, especially if your only symptoms are a slight headache or clicking jaw every once in a while. However, symptoms like these can become worse over time, especially if left untreated. That’s why it’s best to schedule an appointment with your dentist when they first arise! The sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner the unwanted symptoms will be alleviated.

About the Practice

Our team at Aesthetic Dentistry of Stuart wants you to have a beautiful smile and a life free from TMJ-related symptoms, like chronic headaches and persistent jaw pain. The first step is to schedule an appointment with our skilled dentists. From there, we can learn more about your concerns and symptoms before putting a custom treatment plan in place. So, if you are struggling with the symptoms mentioned above, then don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment via our website or by phone at (772)-888-1590.