What Are the Symptoms of TMJ / TMD?
People with TMJ / TMD can experience severe pain and discomfort that can be temporary or last for many years. More women than men experience TMJ / TMD and TMJ / TMD is seen most commonly in people between the ages of 20 and 40. Common symptoms of TMJ / TMD include: • Pain or tenderness in the face, jaw joint area, neck and shoulders, and in or around the ear when you chew, speak or open your mouth wide • Limited ability to open the mouth very wide • Jaws that get stuck or lock in the open- or closed-mouth position • Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth (which may or may not be accompanied by pain) • A tired feeling in the face • Difficulty chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite – as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly • Swelling on the side of the face Other common symptoms include toothaches, headaches, neck aches, dizziness, and earaches and hearing problems.
