TMJ Tooth Pain and Sensitivity

One of the questions we get at REstore TMJ & Sleep Therapy is whether temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) can cause tooth pain. It can, but it can be difficult to distinguish from other types of tooth pain. Toothaches are a common ailment among children and adults and can be caused by various factors and conditions. Between 20%-25% of Americans experience tooth pain per year. 

Some of the most common reasons for tooth pain include cavities, a crack in the tooth, or worn tooth enamel. However, if other specific symptoms compound your discomfort, the cause might be related to TMD. Dr. Phillips has years of experience treating TMDs and addressing the often painful symptoms that accompany these disorders. Learning more about TMJ disorder and how it affects your teeth can help determine if TMD causes your tooth pain.

What is TMJ Disorder?

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a painful condition that affects many areas, causing symptoms like jaw pain, migraine headaches, and muscle fatigue through your neck and back.

TMJ is an acronym for the temporomandibular joint in your jaw that allows you to chew and talk. TMD is often used interchangeably with TMJ, but there is a difference between the two. TMD describes symptoms related to disorders of the TMJ. It's a group of conditions where the joint becomes affected and causes various painful symptoms. 

TMD disorders are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. There are three main classes of TMDs. 

• Disorders of the joints, including disc disorders
• Diseases of the muscles used for chewing (masticatory muscles)
• Headaches associated with a TMD

Can TMJ Disorder Cause Tooth Pain?

Yes, TMJ disorders can cause tooth pain. When you're suffering from a TMD, your joint or the muscles attached to it could be damaged or malfunctioning. When this happens, it can cause your muscles to tighten up, resulting in headaches.

Often, toothaches result from cavities, enamel erosion, and the like. That being said, if everyday dental concerns are ruled out, tooth pain may also be a symptom of a temporomandibular disorder. If a TMD is causing your teeth to ache, traditional tooth pain treatments will most likely prove ineffective.

A temporomandibular disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joint is functioning incorrectly. The temporomandibular joint is a complex anatomical orthopedic joint that allows side-to-side and up-and-down movement. A TMD may occur if the joint is misaligned or lacks proper lubrication. Other conditions, such as an injury, trauma, and even complex dental procedures, may also result in a TMJ disorder.

While TMDs frequently cause toothaches, the condition itself is often misdiagnosed. Part of this is due to the wide range of symptoms TMJ disorders can exhibit. Besides tooth pain, TMDs are frequently accompanied by jaw pain, headaches, swelling, joint popping and clicking, a limited range of motion, and more.

Many other conditions also have the same symptoms. As a result, TMJ disorders are easy to misdiagnose. With a master's degree in orofacial pain, Dr. Katherine Phillips helps hundreds of patients suffering from TMDs each year and knows how to tell TMDs apart from other conditions.

 Since TMDs are centered around the temporomandibular joint, you might not think that a TMD would be the cause of tooth pain. Temporomandibular joint disorders can cause severe and chronic tooth pain and sensitivity.

TMDs frequently result in misaligned chewing, bruxism (teeth grinding), and problems with the mastication muscles, all of which can cause or contribute to tooth pain. Let's take a more detailed look at these conditions so you can understand why they can result in toothaches.

Bruxism

 Bruxism is one of the more common causes of tooth pain. Also referred to as teeth grinding, bruxism occurs when you clench your jaw or grind your teeth. Bruxism may result from stress, a TMD, or another condition.

Bruxism places a lot of strain on the teeth and, if left untreated, can cause severe damage to your teeth, the TMJ itself, and the muscles connected to it. TMDs often result in bruxism.

 The mastication muscles enable your jaw to move. These muscles stretch across the maxillofacial region and allow the complex motion of your jaw. If these muscles are tense or damaged due to a TMD, it could result in tooth pain.

 Teeth grinding and uneven pressure from the mastication muscles could cause your teeth to become misaligned. This misalignment, in turn, could produce tooth pain.

How Can I Treat My Tooth Pain Caused by TMD?

 While a TMD can result in tooth pain, the condition is treatable. However, TMJ disorders are complicated, and the state may persist or even worsen if the wrong treatment is applied. You must talk to a TMD treatment specialist if you are suffering from TMJ.

Dental Splints (Also known as Bite/Mouth Guard) - A splint can prevent teeth grinding and clenching. Custom-fitted splints are among the most effective, researched-based treatments available under the guidance of an experienced TMJ specialist. Using 3D imaging, REstore TMJ and Sleep Therapy creates custom bite orthotics that will address the underlying disorder and result in long-term pain relief.

If you're interested in learning more about how Dr. Phillips treats TMD, view our practice's TMJ disorder treatment page.

TMJ Massage- The proper massaging techniques can relieve tension and pain in both the TMJ and the teeth. Improper massaging could worsen tooth pain, so make sure you seek out professional treatment.

Home Exercises- Certain home exercises can alleviate the underlying TMD and relax the muscles attached to the jaw. This should result in pain relief. Speaking with a dental professional to learn how to do these exercises correctly is essential. Go about them the wrong way, and your condition could worsen.

Hot or Cold Compress- A hot compress can help loosen tight muscles in the jaw. A cold compress can help reduce any swelling present and will also numb pain. Still, compresses rarely provide long-term relief.

If your tooth pain results from an underlying TMD, treating the disorder itself should provide long-term pain relief. On the other hand, if you apply a pain reliever or cold compress, you might get some temporary respite, but the pain will likely return. TMJ disorders are chronic conditions that rarely go away on their own.

Besides tooth pain, TMDs are often accompanied by headaches, pain behind the eyes, ear pain, popping or clicking in the joint, or limited range of motion. So if you have a toothache, keep an eye out for these symptoms.

Finding a practitioner that understands the complexity of effective TMJ treatment is vital. Each TMD case is different, so the most effective treatment methods will often vary. In many cases, a mouth splint, like the ones we provided here by Dr. Phillips, can be very effective.

If you’re regularly suffering from tooth pain and a common dental issue doesn’t appear to be the culprit, you may be suffering from a TMD. This condition is common but also serious. If a TMD is left untreated, it will likely get worse. You could soon find yourself struggling to move your mouth and even simple things, like talking and eating, can become difficult.

Luckily, TMDs are treatable, especially if you seek professional help. While diagnosing the underlying cause of the TMD can be tricky, Dr. Phillips has years of experience as a TMJ specialist in the Houston, TX area and will be able to devise a TMD treatment plan that will provide effective, lasting relief.

How Can You Differentiate TMJ Pain from a Toothache?

TMJ pain may make you think you have a toothache, especially if it's undiagnosed. However, common dental issues that cause a toothache are usually easy to find due to specific symptoms and the physical appearance of damaged teeth. If you have a toothache, you should see your dentist.  If you can't get in to see your dentist right away, you might be able to find the reason for your pain by inspecting your teeth and taking inventory of your symptoms yourself. Try these steps to see if you can distinguish whether your toothache is caused by tooth damage or TMJ pain.

• Take a look inside your mouth to check for any cavities, chips, or cracks which may be causing the pain.
• Gently probe the painful tooth with a toothpick to see if the pain suddenly increases.
• If one or more of your teeth is suddenly over sensitive to heat, cold, or sugar, you probably have a cavity.
• Try resting your face or massaging the temporomandibular joint. If the pain seems to lessen, it might be TMJ pain.

TMJ pain can make your entire face hurt, including your teeth, making it hard to determine what kind of pain you are experiencing. If you think you have a cavity or other tooth damage, it's important to make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as possible. If you have had your teeth treated, and still have tooth pain with no known cause, the problem might be TMD. While a TMD can result in tooth pain, the condition is treatable. Often, splint therapy, oral appliance therapy or TMJ pain relief medication is the answer. H

However, TMJ disorders are complicated and if the wrong type of treatment is applied, the condition may persist or even grow worse. If you are suffering from a TMD, it's important to talk to a TMD treatment specialist.

Don't let tooth pain or other TMD-related problems lower your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with REstore TMJ & Sleep Therapy!