Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Jaw Pain: Understanding TMJ Disorders and Modern Treatments
- tim37858
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
When Jaw Pain Becomes More Than Just Tension
A little jaw stiffness now and again might not seem serious. But over time it can start impacting your life. Whether that’s how you eat, talk or sleep these issues can impact your day to day life and can become harder to deal with.
What feels like a dull ache or “clicking jaw” could be a sign of TMJ disorder. This is more common than you might think. It is an often misunderstood condition that involves the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull.
Here at M Dental Greenwich we help patients understand TMJ disorder and what is happening underneath the surface. We are able to provide personalised, evidence-based treatment to help relieve pain and get you feeling like yourself again.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ disorder refers to a range of issues which affect the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. The jaw works like a hinge, to allow you to open and close your mouth. This should be a smooth movement but it can become strained due to various causes. Those causes could be a general strain, misalignment or even an inflamed area. Left untreated the symptoms present themselves in a painful way. Examples of this are:
Jaw pain or tenderness
Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when opening the mouth
Difficulty chewing or locking of the jaw
Headaches, earaches, or facial pain
Neck and shoulder tension
If you are experiencing symptoms of this, even if its is just mild symptoms, it is worth making an appointment at M Dental Greenwich. We can take a look at your jaw and assess the symptoms before it gets worse.
What Causes TMJ Problems?
Generally speaking there isn’t one single cause of TMJ. But there are certain things that can trigger it. Examples include:
Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism)
Jaw injury or trauma
Arthritis or joint inflammation
Stress and muscle tension
Before we treat TMJ we must assess the cause. This is vital to ensure that treatment is effective. We do this by taking a digital bite analysis during our detailed consultation. This helps us directly what is happening within your mouth and to your jaw. This helps us diagnose what is causing the discomfort.
Modern TMJ Treatments at M Dental Greenwich
You’ll be pleased to know that TMJ disorders are highly treatable, and most cases don’t require surgery. Here at M Dental Greenwich our approach focuses on relieving pain, restoring function, and preventing recurrence. Afterall we want to make you feel like yourself again. Below we talk about some of the options available:
Custom Bite Splints & Nightguards: These protect your teeth from grinding and gently reposition the jaw to reduce strain on the joint. They are made specifically for your mouth, they’re comfortable, discreet, and highly effective.
BTX Treatment: An injection which relaxes the jaw muscles so you clench and grind less.
Muscle Relaxation & Physiotherapy: We often work alongside physiotherapists and use gentle jaw exercises or muscle relaxation techniques to reduce stiffness and restore normal movement.
Bite Correction & Restorative Dentistry: If your bite is contributing to the problem, we may recommend tooth adjustments, crowns, or orthodontic treatments to realign your jaw and balance the bite.
Lifestyle & Stress Management: Because stress is such a common trigger, we also discuss simple lifestyle changes, from posture improvements to relaxation routines that can dramatically reduce symptoms.
What treatment is best for you will very much depend on an assessment. This we can discuss during your consultation here at M Dental Greenwich.
When to Book Dentist Consultation Due To About Jaw Pain
Like with any changes in your oral health, you shouldn’t ignore any pain. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Signs to look out for include:
Worsens with chewing or yawning
Is accompanied by headaches or earaches
Causes clicking or locking
Lasts more than a few days
Seeing a dentist early can prevent long-term joint damage. Jaw pain that is ignored can go on to become chronic discomfort.
Early assessment helps prevent long-term joint damage and chronic discomfort.
Our Patient-Focused Approach
At M Dental Greenwich, we combine modern diagnostic tools with a compassionate, patient-first ethos. We take the time to listen to your symptoms, assess your bite, and create a tailored treatment plan designed to ease pain and restore confidence in your smile.
We are here to help you understand what is going on with your oral care.
Get Relief, So You Can Smile Comfortably Again
Jaw pain doesn’t have to be something you “just live with” and there are treatments designed to relieve and even stop pain. Whether your pain is caused by grinding, stress or misalignment, our experienced team is here to help you. We’ll diagnose the problem and help you get the relief from pain you deserve.
Comments