a. Jaw Pain: One of the primary symptoms of TMJ disorder is jaw pain. It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain, making it difficult to chew, speak, or even open your mouth fully.
b. Headaches and Migraines: TMJ disorder can cause chronic headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. The jaw joint's dysfunction can lead to muscle tension and referred pain, which often radiates to the temples, forehead, or back of the head.
c. Facial Pain: Many individuals with TMJ disorder experience facial pain, particularly around the jaw joint, cheeks, or temples. The pain may worsen with jaw movement or when biting down.
d. Clicking or Popping Sounds: TMJ disorder can cause clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth. These noises indicate an issue with the joint's smooth movement and can be accompanied by discomfort.
e. Limited Jaw Movement: TMJ disorder can restrict the range of motion in the jaw joint, making it difficult to open your mouth fully or move your jaw from side to side. This limitation can impact eating, speaking, and overall oral function.
f. Ear Pain and Ringing: TMJ disorder can cause ear-related symptoms, such as pain, a feeling of fullness, or ringing in the ears (tinnitus). These symptoms are due to the close proximity of the temporomandibular joint to the ear.
g. Neck and Shoulder Pain: TMJ disorder can lead to muscle tension and pain in the neck and shoulders, as the muscles surrounding the jaw joint are interconnected with those in the neck region. This pain can be chronic and affect daily activities.
