The temporomandibular joint is one of the most used joints in the body, yet we rarely notice it until it hurts. These signs deserve attention:
- Pain or tightness in the jaw when chewing or speaking.
- Clicking or grinding when opening and closing.
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully.
- The jaw deviating to one side while opening.
- The jaw locking open or closed.
- Recurrent headaches, especially in the morning, sometimes linked to night-time grinding.
- Ear pain or ringing with no clear ear infection.
What causes it?
Stress, teeth grinding, jaw injuries, a bite imbalance and arthritis are all possible factors, and several habits often combine.
What should you do?
Try rest, a soft diet, and avoid gum and very wide yawns. If symptoms last more than a few weeks, book an examination; early diagnosis opens the way to simple conservative treatment.