If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain, clicking sounds when opening your mouth, or discomfort while chewing, you may be dealing with TMJ disorder, which affects the two hinge-like joints that rest in front of your ears and connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. For some people, symptoms appear briefly and then fade, while for others, jaw pain can become a persistent and debilitating long-term problem. However, understanding how long these issues last and why it’s important to seek timely treatment can help you quickly begin living more comfortably again. Here’s what you need to know.
How Long Can TMJ Disorder Last?
TMJ disorder can vary greatly from person to person, and in some cases, flare-ups might only last for a few days or weeks at a time, seemingly improving on their own. However, for many patients, TMJ disorder is a chronic condition that comes and goes over months or even years. Just because symptoms improve temporarily doesn’t mean the underlying issue has gone away; without proper care, these problems will often return—and can gradually get worse with passing time.
Even if your jaw pain is mild or occasional, ignoring TMJ disorder can create long-term problems, such as:
- Chronic jaw pain and discomfort that becomes more frequent and harder to manage.
- Headaches, migraines, and earaches since the pain can radiate outward to the surrounding areas of your face.
- Difficulty chewing or speaking, since the jaw joints play an integral role in overall jaw function.
- Tooth damage due to the grinding and clenching of the jaw, a condition known as bruxism.
- Progressive joint damage that continues to worsen over time, risking long-term damage to the jaws and nearby muscles and tendons.
Treating TMJ Disorder Is Easier Than You Think
The good news is that TMJ disorder is highly treatable; depending on your symptoms, one of several different treatment options might be able to assist you. These include things like custom-made oral appliances, sometimes called neuromuscular orthotics, as well as TENS treatment, which involves using low-voltage electrical currents to help you manage your pain. Occlusal adjustments are another possibility, which refers to when the teeth are slightly adjusted in order to improve the way they fit together, thereby improving jaw function and reducing pain.
If you’ve noticed recurring jaw pain or other TMJ disorder symptoms, it’s best not to wait until things worsen. Treating the root cause now can prevent a lot of long-term discomfort and damage!
About the Practice
Under the talented leadership of Dr. Heng Lim, our team here at Life Smiles of Owasso proudly serves the dental needs of patients in Owasso and the surrounding area. We offer a wide selection of services, including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatment options—as well as TMJ therapy for patients experiencing jaw pain. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with our team to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (918) 274-3779.