Temporomandibular Dysfunction (TMD) commonly known as TMJ, is often associated with symptoms like jaw pain or clicking sounds. However, TMJ issues can manifest in surprising ways that affect different areas of the body. In fact, Dr Raman has long recognized that poor jaw alignment always affects the neck as well. For this reason, he coined the term Cranio Cervical Mandibular Dysfunction (CCMD) in order to more correctly describe TMD. He also developed a novel method, published in 2006, to relax the neck muscles, a method now used around the world.
Our Kansas City neuromuscular dentist we take a holistic approach to diagnosing and treating TMJ issues, understanding that the head, neck, and jaw are interconnected. This approach helps uncover the lesser-known symptoms that many people experience but don’t often associate with TMJ disorders.
1. Eye Twitching: A Surprising Connection to TMJ
Do you experience random eye twitching? You might not think it’s related to your jaw, but eye twitching, or myokymia, is a lesser-known symptom of TMD. Jaw misalignment or tension in the facial muscles can disrupt the nerves that control eye movements, leading to these involuntary spasms. If you’ve ruled out other causes, your jaw condition may be contributing to this issue.
2. Vertigo and Dizziness: More Than Balance Issues
Vertigo (a sensation of spinning) and dizziness can be linked to TMJ, which, as emphasized above, is not simply jaw misalignment, but also that of head and neck as well – Cranio Cervical Mandibular Dysfunction (CCMD). This, in turn, affects the balance-related structures of the inner ear. Misalignment of the temporomandibular joint can lead to:
- Pressure on the inner ear, which is essential for balance.
- Poor alignment of the atlas (C1 vertebra), disrupting signals from the brain to the ear.
- Poor alignment of atlas, literally un-levels the head along with the balance organs
- Muscle tension in the jaw and neck leads to disorientation.
- affects balance and spatial awareness
3. Numbness and Tingling: TMJ’s Impact on Your Nerves
Do you experience numbness or tingling in your face, neck, or arms? TMD sometimes cause these sensations. The trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to most of your face, can be affected by TMJ tension or inflammation. This can cause tingling or numbness in areas such as:
- Cheeks
- Lips
- Scalp
- Shoulders or arms (in more severe cases)
This numbness could indicate that your TMJ issues are affecting your jaw, neck, and even your entire nervous system.
4. Sinus and Ear Problems: Hidden TMJ Symptoms
Are you experiencing sinus pressure or earaches? TMJ issues can contribute to these problems by:
- Pressing on areas near the ear canal, leading to a sensation of fullness or pressure.
- Affecting the sinuses, creating discomfort similar to a sinus infection.
These symptoms are often mistaken for unrelated issues, but chronic sinus or earaches could be TMJ-related.
5. Neck, Shoulder, and Arm Pain: TMJ’s Far-Reaching Effects
Because the jaw, neck, and shoulders are interconnected, TMJ disorders can cause pain in areas far from the jaw. Common symptoms include:
- Neck stiffness due to tension caused by jaw misalignment.
- Shoulder pain that results from strain in the neck and jaw muscles.
- Arm discomfort radiating from tension in the upper body.
Our Kansas City dentists will address these interconnected issues through a comprehensive treatment approach that targets all affected areas rather than simply isolating the jaw.
6. Nausea: An Overlooked TMJ Symptom
Feeling nauseous without a clear reason? TMJ disorders can affect the vestibular system, responsible for balance and spatial orientation. When this system is disrupted, it can lead to feelings of nausea or general discomfort, similar to motion sickness. Many patients with TMJ disorders report frequent nausea alongside their other symptoms.
7. Blurred Vision: A Link Between TMJ and Your Eyesight
Surprisingly, blurred vision can sometimes be linked to TMJ issues. This occurs when jaw tension or misalignment impacts the nerves and muscles responsible for eye movements. Eye movements and focussing are coordinated with the jaw movement in all animals. For an animal to take a bite of something, it needs that fine coordination. Humans are no different. Patients often report:
- Eye strain or fatigue
- Sensitivity to light
- Occasional blurred vision
These symptoms are easily misattributed to other eye problems, but your TMJ could be the root cause.
8. Facial Pain: TMJ and Inflammation
Facial pain, swelling or a sense of pressure around the cheeks and jaw can be a symptom of TMJ. Poor jaw alignment (TMD) results in contraction of the jaw-closing muscles. Facial muscles are agonists of jaw muscles and work in coordination; when jaw muscles are tight, so are facial muscles. This is why many TMD patients report that it even hurts to smile! Any contracted muscle impedes normal lymphatic and venous drainage in that area. This backing up of tissue fluid leads to noticeable puffiness. This swelling might also be accompanied by general discomfort in the face, further contributing to your TMJ-related pain.
9. Fatigue and Tiredness: How TMJ Drains Your Energy
Constant jaw tension and pain can lead to fatigue. Since jaw problems are always accompanied by neck posture issues, this usually leads to the whole body constantly compensating all day long—draining one’s energy. Most patients also experience sleep disturbances, including teeth grinding (bruxism), which further drains energy. When you’re not getting enough quality sleep, it becomes harder to manage daytime fatigue. Over time, untreated disorders can affect your sleep, leaving you feeling constantly exhausted.
How A Dentist Treats These Unusual TMJ Symptoms
In Kansas City, our dentist focuses on treating the root causes of TMJ issues through a holistic approach that addresses the interconnectedness of the head, neck, and shoulders. Here’s what our patients can expect:
- Comprehensive Evaluation: We assess your jaw, neck, shoulders, and entire body posture to evaluate how well these areas work together.
- Non-Surgical Treatments: We focus on non-invasive therapies, starting with the common root cause of poor jaw / neck alignment with custom orthotic devices, to relieve tension and correct alignment. Supportive therapies such as physical therapy and myofunctional therapy help improve outcomes once the primary cause is corrected.
- Personalized Treatment Plans: Every patient receives a customized plan tailored to their unique symptoms and needs, ensuring effective, long-term relief.
If you’re experiencing any of these unusual TMJ symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek help. Call us today at (816) 436-4422 to start your journey toward a pain-free life.
