The Dangers of Untreated TMJ

Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, can be quite painful and uncomfortable. It is even more painful when it’s left untreated. Maybe you are yet to seek treatment or you think you can live with the pain. Perhaps you do not realize the cause of the pain you are experiencing.

 

Whatever the case, you should not assume that it is easy to live with this condition. In addition to affecting your quality of life, TMJ disorder can also put your future at risk. Often, people choose to postpone treatment for as long as possible. Many people do not want to spend the money and time required to get treatment for this health condition.

 

What Are TMJ Disorders?

The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the skull’s temporal bones located in front of each ear. This is the hinge that lets you move your jaw side to side and up and down. This enables you to chew, talk, and yawn. Any issues with the jaw and/or muscles controlling the jaw are TMJ disorders.

 

It is not clear what causes this condition. But according to many dentists, symptoms may stem from problems with the jaw muscles or with some parts of the TMJ itself. Injury to the joint, jaw, or muscles of your neck and head can also lead to TMJ disorders.

 

Why You Need to Seek Treatment

Pushing off treatment may save you some time and money at first. However, it will not save you from the consequences and pain resulting from failing to get treatment. When TMJ remains untreated, you will be at a higher risk of developing more serious conditions and more painful symptoms. Some of the consequences of failing to get treatment include:

 

Inflammation and Damage to the Joint

Think of a TMJ disorder as a broken bone. To properly heal a broken bone, your doctor will put a cast on it to prevent more damage to the bone. If you fail to seek treatment for your TMJ disorder or pain, there will be more damage to the joint. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury. So if you fail to treat the problem, inflammation will continue until you get treatment.

 

Chronic Jaw Pain

Left untreated, your symptoms will worsen. The word chronic refers to a long-developing syndrome or symptom. If you fail to get treatment for your TMJ disorder, the pain you experience in your jaw may progress from occasional pain to constant pain.

 

When you start experiencing short-term or acute pain, it is a sign that something is wrong. Thus, it is important to acknowledge the pain and act upon it as soon as possible. Failing to deal with it can lead to constant pain, which might subsequently lead to chronic jaw pain.

 

Regular Headaches and Migraines

This is another symptom that can worsen due to untreated TMJ disorders. Your TMJ connects the jaw to the muscles surrounding the skull and to the skull itself. This is why any problem with this joint can cause headaches. If you fail to treat the source of the problem, you will experience recurring headaches.

 

Other consequences of untreated TMJ pain or disorders include:

 

• Compromised quality of sleep
   

• Decreased quality of life
   

• Dental health problems
   

• Malnutrition due to the inability to eat solid foods
   

• Tinnitus

For more information on the dangers of untreated TMJ, contact Concierge Smile Boutique at our office in Culver City, California. You can call (424) 404-6400 or text (424) 361-6272 today to schedule an appointment.