Test the motion of the TMJ joint--- move it forward, side to side, clench your teeth together, move your jaw bones from side to side. Test the muscles along the temporal area of your head, take your fingers and press the chewing in your face, touch the pressure points of the muscles in your neck, shoulders, tops of the shoulders.
One simple test to find out if you have a possible TMJ problem is to place three fingers on one of your hands directly next to each other, and then try to place them into your opened mouth.
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If they don't fit because you can't open wide enough, or if it causes a large click or pop,
a popping sound or shift in the smooth movement of your jaw just in front of the ear opening,
you should see a TMJ specialist.
Which degree of symptoms do you have?
For many people who have TMJD, it starts off by merely annoying them. May times the TMJ pain can be sudden or over a period of years and the symptoms continue to worsen over a period of years. The Social Security System classifies disorders that affect our “Daily Activities of Daily Living” and interestingly, many such disorders as TMJD ( jaw Pain), headaches, carpal tunnel, aches, pain, etc. start off as “annoying”, but are forgotten during activities. Symptoms can be progressive as to be so disruptive, that they “interfere with activities”, some symptoms are so annoying and painful that they cause “outcries from pain” and then some symptoms are severe enough to prevent us from the activity.
No matter what phase of TMJD (jaw pain) you have, it will get worse unless and until you do something about it. That’s why we have established this web site to give you information and have created a “Center of Excellence” in our practice for you to come to if you have TMJD (jaw joint pain).
See our section on WHAT TO EXPECT at the doctors office.
Be sure to call our office, 803-327-6155, about appropriate forms of treatment.
