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Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can manifest in pain in the muscles and joints on the side of your face that help you open and close your mouth. These joints (often referred to as TMJs) act as hinges to help you open and close your mouth. Every moment that you talk, yawn, or chew, your jaw joints and muscles are hard at work. While it is reasonable to assume that the full-blown condition of chronic pain and inflammation in these joints will stay isolated to the jaw, this may not end up being the case. Joints and muscles in your jaw are so interconnected with other parts of your body, there is a high likelihood that seemingly unrelated aches and pains might result from TMD. Your Moreno Valley dentists at Dental Associates of Moreno Valley, will tell you more.

Ear Infection or TMJ Issue?

If you have an earache, the natural assumption might be that you have an ear infection. You may be surprised to know that nearly half of TMD patients actually complain of earaches as a perplexing symptom. The location of this discomfort will usually be in front of, or just below your ear. With nerve endings so close to each other, it’s easy to confuse this pain and think you have a classic earache. If you have a lot of ear pain and you have been checked by your general physician with no signs of infection, consider visiting your Moreno Valley dentists to see if some type of misalignment or TMJ issue is causing your suffering.

Neck and Shoulder Pain

Neck and shoulder pain will usually be blamed on stress, sleeping wrong, or a pulled muscle. Usually these aches and pains come and go on their own. However, if you find that pain like this is recurring, or never ends, you could consider that your TMJs might be the source. Your jaw muscles run from one ear to the other. This means they collide and interact with your neck muscles. Your shoulders and upper back are right in that same area. Pain sensations can extend and cause you aches and pains that you wouldn’t necessarily assume could start with your jaw tension.

TMJ Pain Tackled by Moreno Valley Dentists

If you suspect TMJ pain, we can possibly help with a customized mouthguard. If you are in need of any of our comprehensive dentistry services, contact your dentists in Moreno Valley. To schedule an appointment at our 92533 dentist office, contact us at (951) 697-6800.