Initially, TMJ disorders may only seem bothersome with mild symptoms. You may experience a clicking noise when chewing, occasional tightness in the jaw, and mild discomfort near the ear. Most likely, the initial symptoms won’t just disappear if left alone; they will only worsen with time. If not treated, they can develop into very severe complications.
In this blog, we will shed light on some of the dangers that you may face if you ignore TMJ disorder.
One of the most common complications of not treating a TMJ problem is the migration of the patient’s discomfort level from temporary discomfort to chronic, ongoing discomfort. A person’s mild stiffness in the jaw or occasional soreness can develop into ongoing discomfort. As the muscles responsible for moving the jaw are over-tensed and become inflamed, the tension will continue to spread from that point and eventually cause discomfort during normal daily activities like eating and talking.
Even mild TMJ dysfunctions can irritate and damage muscles and nerves around the head. It can lead to tension headaches and migraines. People with TMJ dysfunction wrongly associate their headaches or migraines with things like stress or sinus issues. Instead, an individual with TMJ dysfunction is likely to be suffering from severe muscle tension and poor jaw alignment. Eventually, without an assessment and treatment by a properly trained professional, those headaches or migraines could worsen.
Teeth grinding (bruxism) and clenching are common habits that may affect the TMJ. When one continuously engages in these behaviors, the excessive pressure applied to the teeth and the enamel will eventually cause the following:
If TMJ is left untreated, it can cause extensive damage to the teeth, which will require more extensive and costly repairs later.
The TMJ is a complex joint formed with cartilage and cushioning. Chronic inflammation and stress on this joint, can cause the cartilage to break down, if it is left untreated. This can lead to degeneration of the joint or early onset of arthritis. In extreme cases, the jaw may become locked. This can cause difficulty or discomfort in the opening and closing of the mouth.
The TMJ is closely connected to the inner ear structure. So, when the TMJ becomes inflamed or out of alignment, it can affect the internal tissues and nerves of the ear, leading to:
Ear-related issues such as
Chronic discomfort associated with TMJ can have an adverse effect on your sleep cycle as well as your emotional state. Discomfort and muscle tightness from having TMJ can make falling asleep difficult for some people. This can lead to fatigue, depression, anxiety, or stress. Poor sleep quality will only increase discomfort, creating a vicious cycle.
When TMJ disorder continues without appropriate treatment, it can result in changes to how your teeth fit together (bite) and how they align (jaw alignment). If your bite becomes misaligned due to long-term tension on your jaw muscles, inflammation, or disc displacement, chewing may become uneven or uncomfortable. It will only add additional strain to your jaw joint and muscles and will ultimately make TMJ worse rather than stabilizing it.
Mild stiffness can progress to ultimately limit jaw movement. Patients with untreated TMJ disorder may have difficulty completely opening their mouths. They are unable to comfortably yawn or chew particular foods as well. More serious cases of TMJ disorder may involve the jaw becoming locked in either an open or closed position. These situations can create irritation and discomfort in patients with TMJ disorders.
TMJ disorder does not only refer to problems with the jaw; it affects the jaw at a mechanical level. Moreover, it also affects nerves, muscles, dental health, sleep quality, and even general quality of life. The positive aspect is that TMJ symptoms typically improve when treated properly and early enough that long-term problems are not as frequent.
If you have any jaw discomfort, popping, headaches, or ear discomfort, you should consider seeing Dr. Luis. He is a specialist in diagnosing and treating TMJ mechanical problems using a direct cause approach instead of simply masking symptoms. Treatment started early may save your jaw from long-term complications due to untreated TMJ disorder.