Symptoms of TMD include pain and tenderness in the chewing muscles and jaw joint; clicking, popping or grating sounds when opening and closing the mouth; limited movement or locking of the jaw; headaches and neck pain; and ringing in the ears. In most cases, symptoms don’t last long and improve on their own or with conservative treatment. Source https://www.suwanee-cosmetic-dentist.com/

TMD is an umbrella term for problems affecting the temporomandibular joints, which are on either side of the head, at the back of your lower jawbone (mandible). These complex joints allow hinging and sliding movement. Large pairs of muscles in the cheeks and temples move the jaw, and a disk inside the TMJ helps with opening and closing. The TMJs can get out of alignment or become painful for many reasons, including strained muscles and ligaments, arthritis, injury to the head or neck, displacement of the disk in the TMJ, and stress.

TMD Treatment: From Lifestyle Changes to Professional Care

The most common symptom of TMD is pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint, which may spread to other parts of the face and neck. Other signs and symptoms include a clicking or popping sound when the mouth opens or closes, difficulty chewing, pain in the temples, earache, headache or dizziness.

Over-the-counter medications can help relieve TMD pain and swelling, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. In some cases, dentists or physicians can prescribe higher doses of NSAIDs or muscle relaxants to control pain and tension. They may also recommend avoiding activities that put strain on the TMJs, such as chewing gum, using the teeth to open packages or rip tags off clothing, sleeping on one side and grinding or clenching the teeth.