Do I Have TMJ Pain? Here are The Six Signs to Watch Out For

Chronic headaches, jaw pain, and painful chewing can disrupt everyday life. At Wahlen Dentistry, Dr. Jennifer Wahlen and Dr. John Torghele offer TMJ pain treatment in Perry, Utah, to help you live a painless lifestyle. Don’t let TMJ-related pain hold you back—lasting relief is just one call away!

How do I know I have TMJ pain?

The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) connect the lower jaw to the skull. You may not know it, but you use TMJs countless times to chew, talk, yawn, and smile. Unfortunately, TMJs can be inflamed, strained, and damaged, causing several unpleasant symptoms. 

These include: 

1. Jaw pain: One of the most common TMJ disorder (TMD) symptoms is jaw pain or soreness. The pain can be mild or severe and may worsen when opening or closing your mouth. Sometimes, you may experience dull or persistent aches radiating to the shoulders, neck, and facial muscles. 
2. Chronic headaches: TMJ disorders can spark tension headaches, especially near your temples or the base of your skull. Pain starting near your jaw and radiating upward could be more than stress. Head pain can be so intense that it affects concentration, sleep, and chewing. If TMJ-related headaches are getting the better of you, schedule an appointment with a TMJ dentist in Perry, Utah, for relief. 
3. Limited jaw movement: Do you have trouble closing or opening your jaws? The culprit could be TMJ pain. Limited jaw movement can affect how you eat, speak, or yawn. In more severe cases, you might only be able to open your mouth a few millimeters. Don’t let these signs cripple your life when relief is just a call away. 
4. Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus): TMJs sit right next to your ears, so when they are inflamed, this may cause tinnitus (ringing), earaches, or a feeling of pressure or fullness, even when your ears are perfectly healthy.
5. Pops and clicks with jaw movement: TMJ pain can trigger audible signs, including pops, clicks, and grating sounds, when you open and close your mouth. While these sounds are sometimes paired with discomfort, they can also occur without pain—making it easy to overlook the underlying issue.
6. Difficulty chewing: Pain or fatigue while chewing—especially tough or chewy foods—is another sign of TMJ pain. When the TMJs are strained or inflamed, the muscles responsible for chewing can become overworked, leading to discomfort, soreness, or tiredness in your jaw. You may also notice that your jaw feels weak or shaky after meals. If this sounds familiar, it’s worth having your jaw joints evaluated by a Perry TMJ dentist.

Jaw pain relief requires more than treating symptoms— it requires a deep understanding of how your muscles, joints, and bite alignment interact. An accurate diagnosis is essential because no two TMJ cases are alike. We use thorough clinical examination, advanced 3D imaging, and bite analysis to pinpoint the root causes of your discomfort. This systematic approach allows for highly personalized treatment plans to deliver long-term relief.

Are you ready to experience TMJ pain relief?

Don’t let TMJ pain rule your life. Call (435) 246-4602 and schedule an appointment with Wahlen Dentistry. Drs. Jennifer Wahlen and John Torghele offer gentle, non-invasive solutions to relieve TMJ pain and restore quality of life. We serve patients from several locations, including Perry, Brigham City, Willard, Ogden, and beyond.

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