It can happen to anyone. You can go through life without ever really needing to think about how your jaw works when a car accident injury changes that and leaves you in pain. If you've been having jaw pain after a car accident, there's a good chance that you've developed TMJ. Keep reading to find out more about this condition and what you can do to beat it.
What is TMJ?
TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a disorder in which the two joints on either side of your jaw fail to function normally. Some people are born with this condition, while others develop it from related diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, while yet more end up getting it from injury.
The types of temporomandibular joint disorder differ, but the one thing they all have in common is pain and stiffness in the joints that control your ability to open and close your mouth. Other symptoms often occur, like popping sounds from the joints, an inability to open your mouth fully, or lockjaw, where the jaw gets stuck and cannot open or close further.
How it Develops after Injury
Joints are wonderful at performing their job of allowing parts of the body to flex on a daily basis, but they don't take well to injury. An injury can cause a minor change in how your jaw is aligned, which can put too much stress or pressure on the joint. Alternatively, the joint itself can be damaged if you hit the side of your face or neck against a window or wall of the car.
Often, severe injury to the joint isn't necessary for TMJ to develop. Simply having inflammation develop in the area following the injury can trigger TMJ symptoms.
Getting Help
If you think you might be going through this, there's no reason to put up with it. A doctor can get you started on the road of correcting your TMJ and letting you feel better again.
Depending on the type of TMJ you have, treatment may vary. For example, if the problem is simply inflammation, bringing that inflammation down with medication like anti-inflammatory pain relievers and steroids may be all you need to let the healing process start.
If the jaw has forcibly repositioned and it's not allowing the joint to function properly anymore, your doctor may be able to help by manually adjusting the joint or performing surgery to repair the damage.
TMJ disorder can be painful and get in the way of your ability to speak, eat, and simply be comfortable. If you're having a problem with your jaw after a car accident, talk to a doctor about getting TMJ treatment.
