The Dangers of Not Treating TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw and skull, allowing you to move your jaw with ease. Unfortunately, some people may suffer from a TMJ disorder which can affect the way they eat, speak, or even yawn. It causes the jaw to become irritated or inflamed, resulting in unbearable pain. As soon as you notice symptoms of TMD, you should aim to seek treatment right away. Otherwise, it can put your oral and overall health at risk. Read along to learn more about the dangers of untreated TMD.

What Are the Symptoms?

First and foremost, how can you even tell if you’re suffering from a TMJ disorder? Well, many symptoms can indicate you have it, such as:

• Pain and tenderness in the jaw joint, face, neck, and shoulders
• Clicking and popping sound in your jaw
• Difficulty chewing
• Facial swelling
• Toothaches, headaches, and hearing problems

The Effects of Untreated TMJ

Although a TMJ disorder is not considered life-threatening, it can negatively affect your quality of life if you fail to seek treatment. Let’s take a look at a few things that can occur:

Chronic Jaw Pain

If you allow it to go untreated for too long, your occasional jaw pain can become constant. That’s because short-term pain is alerting your body that something’s amiss. Choosing to ignore that warning sign can lead to chronic pain.

Joint Damage and Inflammation

When you have a broken bone, you wouldn’t just ignore it and let it heal on its own. You’d (hopefully) put a cast on it to protect it from further damage while it heals. Well, it’s the same thing with your TMJ disorder. Neglecting to seek treatment for your pain can result in joint damage and inflammation.

Recurring Headaches

Aside from jaw pain, headaches are another symptom that can worsen due to untreated TMD. Since your TMJ connects your jaw to your skull (and all the muscles surrounding it), any issues in the joint can cause headaches. Unless the source of the problem is treated, you’ll continue to experience these headaches.

Airway Sleep Disorder

In most cases, a TMJ disorder is caused by a misaligned bite. Unfortunately, this can negatively affect your quality of sleep. Since your jaw isn’t sitting in its proper place, it’s infringing your airway, causing your brain to get less oxygen. Over time, this can lead to the development of airway sleep disorder. The disorder can contribute to other symptoms like headaches, neck pain, sleep apnea, and brain fog.

Are you ready to seek treatment for your TMJ disorder? Contact your dentist and ask about their solutions. They’ll get you started on your journey towards a better quality of life!

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps has helped patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health for over two decades. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University and is currently a proud supporter of the Texas Dental Association Smiles Foundation. If you think you may suffer from a TMJ disorder, Dr. Philipps can give you the treatment you need to address your symptoms. To make an appointment, visit her website or call (432) 570-4433.