Having TMJ is not an uncommon thing. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, up to 12 million adults have it. It can range from being mildly annoying to being a possible dental emergency. Here are three signs that you have progressed to a point that you need to immediately go to a dental office as soon as you can.
Your Jaw Hurts When You Bite or Chew
This one goes beyond just having annoying jaw-cracking sounds when you open your mouth to take a bite to eat. Yes, your spouse might get a bit annoyed, but it’s still relatively harmless. On the other hand, if you have severe pain each time you try to do this, then it could signal that TMJ is getting worse. You should have your dentist take a look at it to make sure that nothing else is happening.
Your Jaw Is Locked
This is the main dental emergency. There may be times when your jaw locks in a certain position. Do NOT try to open yourself. That could wind up causing even more damage to your jaw. Instead, head to a dental office and have a professional handle the situation. They know exactly how jaws operate and what to do to get your full range of bite motion back again.
You Have General Jaw Pain
This is sort of a catch-all. There could be a variety of reasons for jaw pain, such as grinding your teeth without knowing it. You might also have a tooth infection. If the pain is bad, then you need to see your dentist. They can make sure that you don’t have any tooth decay that could require a root canal or any cracked teeth that could require a dental crown. If it’s TMJ, then they can help you manage the jaw pain.
There are a few other symptoms to look out for, like dizziness or headaches. Those can indicate several issues, though, so you might be better off seeing your primary care physician first. If you have any of the above three symptoms, you need to have your jaw looked at quickly. Then you can go back to your regular life.
Are you looking for a dental office in your area? Bright Side Dental can assist you with any dental or orthodontic needs. Contact us today!