Symptoms of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders | Tülay Akkol Dental

10.02.2026

People with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders may experience pain for many years. Discomfort and symptoms felt during chewing or speaking are quite common.

TMJ disorders occur due to many different reasons. In most cases, these problems arise from abnormalities in the jaw bones. Individuals with TMJ disorders may feel pain for long periods of time. Discomfort and symptoms experienced during chewing or speaking are commonly observed. The symptoms of TMJ disorders are generally as follows:

Difficulty while eating or chewing gum.
Limited mouth opening / inability to open the mouth widely.
Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw.
Noticeable swelling on one side of the face.
Jaw locking or dislocation.
Ringing in the ears.
Severe headaches (especially at night or in the morning).
Dizziness.
Stiffness or pain in the neck.
Fatigue felt while eating.
Pain around the eyes.
Ear pain.

Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

TMJ disorders do not initially require surgical intervention. Resting the jaw is often one of the most effective treatment methods. To allow the jaw to rest, you should pay attention to the following:

Avoid chewing gum for long periods.
Avoid hard foods (such as nuts).
Use both sides of the jaw evenly; avoid chewing on only one side for extended periods.
Avoid opening the mouth too wide while yawning.
Especially in the morning, apply a warm compress to the jaw using a towel soaked in hot water.
Avoid excessive stress.
Avoid driving and all activities that may cause trauma to the jaw for a while, as these methods allow the jaw to rest and relax over time.

However, in cases of severe pain, TMJ disorder treatment is carried out with medications prescribed by a surgeon. While medication may not be effective for some individuals, it can resolve the issue for others. Patients who do not benefit from medication therapy may undergo appliance therapy or physical therapy.

Especially for individuals experiencing severe pain in the jaw muscles, physical therapy should be initiated immediately. As a result of physical therapy, pain is reduced. Once the pain decreases, physical therapy sessions are reduced and medication therapy is continued. In appliance therapy, the surgeon prepares splint appliances based on the oral and dental measurements taken.

This splint appliance treatment is generally applied to patients who grind their teeth at night. Thanks to the splint, the teeth do not come into contact with each other, preventing nighttime tooth movement. As a result, muscle pain or jaw joint pain is reduced or completely resolved.

Causes of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders

TMJ disorders, which are common in a large portion of society, are influenced by many different factors. Individuals who have habits such as teeth grinding at night or clenching their teeth during stress may experience TMJ disorders. However, the most common causes of TMJ disorders are as follows:

Head, neck, or jaw trauma due to an accident.
Jaw opening and closing dysfunction.
Excessive talking or excessive gum chewing.
Nail-biting habit.
Incorrect dental treatments.
Stress.
Poor posture.
Misalignment of upper and lower teeth.

How Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Diagnosed?

A diagnosis of TMJ disorder is made in individuals who visit the hospital due to severe jaw pain or hearing sounds in the jaw. The diagnosis of TMJ disorders must be made by a professional surgeon. The diagnostic process usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes.

In particular, limited mouth opening is one of the most significant signs of TMJ disorder.

First, the surgeon places a finger on the triangular area located in front of the ear. Then, as the patient opens and closes their mouth, the surgeon evaluates the tension, range of motion, and any sounds produced to make a diagnosis. After the clinical examination, a jaw X-ray is requested. In this way, disorders in the jaw can be diagnosed. If a diagnosis cannot be made after these procedures, an MRI scan is requested.