5 Signs You Might Have TMJ

Hello, friends and neighbors! I am Dr. Farshid Ariz, DMD. If you have been searching for a cosmetic dentist in Northridge or the surrounding San Fernando Valley area, you might already know that my passion is creating stunning, confident smiles. However, a truly beautiful smile isn’t just about white, straight teeth; it is about having a healthy, functioning jaw foundation. You can have the most beautiful veneers in the world, but if you are in pain, you won’t want to smile.

Today, I want to talk about something that affects so many people who walk through the doors of my practice: TMJ disorders. It is a topic that is close to my heart because I see how much relief proper treatment can bring. Many patients come to me wanting a cosmetic makeover, only to realize that the tension in their jaw is actually affecting the aesthetics of their face and their quality of life.

The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) acts like a sliding hinge connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one on each side of your jaw. When this joint isn’t working right, it can lead to a disorder often just called “TMJ.” It can be tricky to diagnose on your own, but understanding the TMJ symptoms is the first step toward getting your comfort back.

Understanding the Foundation of Your Smile

Before we dive into the signs, I want to explain why a cosmetic dentist talks about jaw joints. In my Northridge office, I look at the “whole picture.” Your teeth, muscles, and joints all work together like a finely tuned machine. When one gear is out of alignment, the whole machine struggles.

TMJ disorders can actually change the shape of your face over time due to muscle overuse. By addressing these issues, we don’t just stop the pain; we can often slim the jawline and restore facial symmetry. That is where cosmetic dentistry and functional health meet.

1. Jaw Pain and Tenderness

The most obvious sign, and usually the first one my patients mention, is pain. But TMJ pain is specific. It is not exactly like a toothache, although it can sometimes feel like one. You might feel a dull, aching pain in the jaw joint itself, which is located right in front of your ear.

This pain often spreads. You might feel it in your face, around your ear, or even down your neck and shoulders. If you wake up in the morning and your face feels “tired,” or if your jaw hurts after eating a bagel or a steak, this is a major red flag.

In my experience treating patients from Northridge and Porter Ranch, stress is a huge factor here. When we are stressed, we tend to clench our teeth, which overworks these muscles. If you find yourself rubbing your cheeks or temples because they feel sore, listen to your body. It is telling you that your jaw needs a break.

2. Clicking, Popping, or Grating Sounds

Have you ever opened your mouth to yawn or take a bite of a burger and heard a loud pop? Or maybe you hear a clicking sound when you chew. While a random click here and there might not be an emergency, consistent noises from your jaw joint are classic TMJ symptoms.

Here is what is happening inside: There is a soft disc of cartilage inside the joint that acts as a cushion. If that disc slips out of place and then snaps back in, you hear that click or pop. Sometimes, patients describe a “grating” sound, which can feel like sand in a hinge. This usually means the cartilage has worn down, and bone is rubbing against bone.

I always tell my patients not to ignore these sounds, even if they aren’t painful yet. It is your jaw’s way of asking for help before the problem gets worse.

3. Difficulty Chewing or a “Locking” Jaw

This sign can be quite scary. Some of my patients experience a moment where their jaw literally gets stuck. You might open your mouth wide and feel like you can’t close it, or close it tight and feel like you can’t open it fully. This is called “lockjaw,” and it indicates a significant issue with the joint mechanism.

Even if it doesn’t lock completely, you might notice that you just can’t open your mouth as wide as you used to. We call this a limited range of motion. If you have to cut your sandwiches into tiny pieces or struggle to sing along to your favorite song in the car because your jaw feels tight, it is time to visit us.

When I design a cosmetic treatment plan, knowing your range of motion is crucial. We want your smile to be functional, allowing you to eat, speak, and laugh without restriction.

4. Frequent Headaches and Earaches

This is the sign that is most often misdiagnosed. I have had patients who suffered from chronic headaches or migraines for years. They went to general doctors and specialists, taking medication that never seemed to solve the problem. Why? Because the root cause was actually their jaw.

The muscles that control your jaw wrap around your head. When they are tight and inflamed from TMJ issues, they can trigger tension headaches. These headaches often start in the temples and radiate to the back of the head.

Similarly, because the TMJ is located immediately next to the ear canal, inflammation in the joint can cause ear pain. Patients often go to the doctor thinking they have an ear infection, only to be told their ears are perfectly healthy. If you have ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or unexplained earaches, we should evaluate your bite.

The Prevalence of TMJ Issues

To give you an idea of how common this is, let’s look at the numbers. It is easy to feel alone when you are in pain, but you are certainly not. In fact, women are roughly twice as likely to experience TMJ pain as men, particularly during their childbearing years.

5. Changes in Your Bite

As a cosmetic dentist, this is a sign I watch for very closely. Your “bite” is how your upper and lower teeth fit together. If you suddenly feel like your teeth aren’t fitting together properly, or if your bite feels uncomfortable and uneven, it could be due to a shift in the jaw joint.

Sometimes, patients tell me, “Dr. Ariz, my teeth feel like they are floating,” or “I can only touch my teeth on the left side.” This misalignment can accelerate wear and tear on your teeth. It can cause chips, cracks, and fractures—all things we want to avoid if we are trying to maintain a beautiful smile.

Furthermore, untreated TMJ can lead to gum recession and bone loss because of the excessive pressure being placed on certain teeth. Fixing the jaw helps protect the investment you make in your dental health.

Why Northridge Residents Should Take Action

Living in the greater Los Angeles area can be stressful. We deal with traffic, busy schedules, and high demands. All of that stress often goes straight to our jaws. I see many patients from Northridge, Chatsworth, and Reseda who don’t realize that their “stress headaches” are actually treatable dental issues.

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, over 10 million Americans are currently affected by TMJ disorders. That is a massive number, meaning you are likely not the only person in your circle of friends dealing with this.

If you ignore these signs, the condition usually does not get better on its own. It can lead to chronic pain, arthritis in the jaw joint, and severe dental damage. But the good news is that treatment is often easier than you think.

How We Treat TMJ

When you come to see me, I don’t just look at your teeth; I look at you. We start with a comprehensive evaluation. I use advanced imaging to see exactly what is happening inside your jaw joints.

Treatment can range from simple lifestyle changes to more advanced therapies. Here is a glimpse of how we can help:

• Custom Night Guards: These prevent you from grinding your teeth at night, giving your jaw muscles a chance to relax and heal.
• Bite Adjustment: sometimes, slightly reshaping the enamel of a few teeth can balance your bite and relieve massive amounts of pressure.
• Botox Therapy: As a cosmetic dentist, I use Botox not just for wrinkles, but to relax the overactive masseter muscles (the big chewing muscles). This provides incredible relief for many patients and has the added cosmetic benefit of slimming a “square” jawline.
• Orthodontics: If your bite is the root cause, straightening your teeth can align the jaw properly.

You can read more about the medical side of these disorders on this comprehensive guide from the Mayo Clinic.

Taking the First Step Toward Relief

I know that going to the dentist can make some people nervous. But I want to assure you that my team and I prioritize your comfort above all else. We are here to listen. If you recognized any of these 5 signs in yourself, please don’t suffer in silence.

Your smile is your greatest asset. It is how you greet the world. But a smile should never hurt. By addressing your TMJ symptoms, we can not only get you out of pain but also set the stage for any cosmetic enhancements you might desire in the future.

Whether you are right here in Northridge or coming to us from the surrounding valleys, I am here to help you achieve a smile that looks amazing and feels even better. Let’s get your jaw healthy so you can get back to enjoying life, eating your favorite foods, and smiling with true confidence.