What Happens if TMJ is Not Treated?
Disorders in the temporomandibular joint can be chronic or intermittent, spurred by daily behaviors or triggered by a sudden accident or impact. Because the pain and discomfort of TMJ disorders isn’t always easily traceable to a specific event or behavior, many patients avoid medical treatment, believing that the symptoms will subside on their own. Unfortunately, however, a multitude of medical conditions can arise as a result of untreated TMJ disorder, and prompt treatment is recommended when symptoms first appear. These symptoms could include pain or tenderness in the jaw or in one or both of the jaw joints, difficulty chewing, or a locking or clicking noise in the jaw when you open or close your mouth. If you notice pain or tenderness in your jaw or if you have difficulty opening or closing your mouth comfortably, see your dentist for diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
What Are the Dangers of Leaving TMJ Untreated?
- Chronic jaw problems
- Tinnitus, or ringing of the ears
- Lockjaw
- Dental health issues
- Changes in facial appearance
- Nutritional deficiency
- Side effects from self-medicating
- Sleep disturbances
- Interference with quality of life
Over the long term, each of these symptoms can worsen as TMJ remains untreated. Because the temporomandibular joint is located so close to the ears, the inflammation and pain of TMJ disorder can lead not only to tinnitus but to permanently diminished hearing. As the symptoms of TMJ continue to threaten the ears, they could result in long-term dizziness, balance challenges, inner ear problems, or vertigo. Persistent TMJ can also lead to lockjaw, in which the jaw is fixed in either an open or closed position; in these cases, prompt medical attention is required. Untreated TMJ also compromises the oral and dental health, leading to worn dental enamel, cracked or broken teeth, or misalignment of the teeth that interferes with effective, thorough cleaning and can encourage tooth decay or gum disease. If tooth decay or gum disease are allowed to progress without treatment, the eventual outcome could be the loss of teeth. These seem significant prices to pay for a disorder that can often be treated simply and effectively at home, with the support of a dentist or other medical provider.
Because the effects of TMJ disorders can interfere with every aspect of daily life, many people with chronic, untreated TMJ are unable to maintain healthy diets, potentially leading to malnutrition or disordered eating. In other cases, patients may develop addictive patterns of self-medication, turning to alcohol or other drugs to relax their muscles and relieve their pain; over the long term, these patterns can grow more and more destructive and more difficult to curb. Commonly, TMJ disorders and the chronic jaw clenching that often comes with it can interfere with sleep or lead to insomnia, which can, in turn, negatively affect job performance, mood, and overall quality of life. Most treatments for TMJ are nonsurgical and non-invasive, and these treatments are consistently effective, often leading to permanent relief from symptoms. In light of the ease of treatment, there’s little reason to leave TMJ untreated, especially when weighed against the multiple potential negative outcomes of avoiding treatment. See your dentist if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of TMJ disorders. By following their instructions to treat the disorder, you could be preventing far more dangerous situations while also relieving your pain or discomfort.