| TMJ or temporomandibular joint syndrome can be | | | | · When eating, is there pain experienced while |
| caused by trauma, deterioration through aging, | | | | chewing? |
| diseases like arthritis and force of habit. Knowing the | | | | · When trying to align your jaw in front of the |
| causes is good so that preventive measures can be | | | | mirror, are your teeth misaligned? |
| taken. But what if you are already experiencing the | | | | · Do you feel that your jaws feel sore after |
| headaches and the neck pains? How will you know if | | | | chewing excessively, like on chewing gums? |
| you have TMJ? Is there are way to diagnose | | | | · Are there inexplicable cheek pains or headaches |
| yourself in the comforts of your home? | | | | that focus on the temples to the point of nausea? |
| There are ways to diagnose TMJ without having to | | | | · Is it difficult trying to open your jaws fully? |
| resort to a dentist or an orthodontist. However, it is | | | | · Have you ever experienced your jaws locking? |
| best that if the questions asked are mostly | | | | · Are you arthritic? |
| answered with a yes,’ then a visit to the | | | | · Do you frequently feel headaches or neck pain |
| specialist should be scheduled, and soon. | | | | that seems to have no triggers? |
| Here are some ways to determine if you may have | | | | When answering the questions above and most of |
| TMJ: | | | | the answers are yes,’ then most probably |
| · When you open and close your jaws, do you feel | | | | you have TMJ. It is time to go to the orthodontist |
| popping in the jaw joints, or hear clicking sounds? | | | | and get immediate treatment. TMJ is treatable and |
| · When opening wide and then closing the mouth, | | | | controllable, ask your orthodontist for which |
| are there times when it is difficult to do so? | | | | treatment is best for you. These treatments are all |
| · Have you ever had major trauma on the jaw? | | | | dependent on the severity of the symptoms and |
| · Do you have ear pains or experience ringing of the | | | | once treatment is started, recovery is faster. There |
| ears (tinnitus)? | | | | may have to be prescription medicines given which |
| · Do you grind you teeth, be it consciously or | | | | should be followed carefully. |
| unconsciously? | | | | |