Do you have a throbbing pain in your jaw, but you can’t quite determine why?
There are several possible reasons your jaw might hurt, from gum and teeth problems to sinus issues. However, if you’ve had a recent car accident, then that might be the culprit.
While people often associate car accidents with back injuries and whiplash, it’s possible that the impact could have affected your temporomandibular joint (also known as TMD or TMJ). Let’s take a closer look at the relation between TMJ injuries and auto mishaps…
To determine whether you have a TMJ injury related to a car crash, then you should also know what to look for when it comes to jaw disorders.
When you have TMJ issues, you might notice pain when chewing, but even when talking. You may also notice your jaw feels out of alignment, and it can make a clicking noise and feel like it’s getting stuck. In some cases, you might experience TMJ pain without using your jaw at all.
For some people, dizziness and even slight hearing loss might accompany the other symptoms.
The joint can become swollen and inflamed, and for some people, this doesn’t begin until after they’ve been involved in an accident.
How Can A Car Accident Affect TMJ?
You may have sore wrists, back pain, and other pain following a car accident depending on the circumstances.
However, because a car accident is often physically traumatic, it can throw your body out of alignment and that includes your jaw. That means you don’t actually have to hit your face or jaw to develop TMJ after a car accident.
You probably experienced whiplash during the crash, which is when the impact causes your head and neck to go in all directions. This impact can also damage connective tissues in the jaw joints due to the extreme and sudden force.
TMJ injuries from an auto accident often happen following a rear-end collision, and the car doesn’t have to be moving very fast at all. In fact, a study looked at whether whiplash injuries can occur with a vehicle moving only 10 to 15 km/h (about 9 mph.)
Because your jaw was not directly involved in the accident, you may not automatically put the accident and the jaw pain together.
However, you may have other whiplash symptoms such as neck pain and didn’t consider the impact on your jaw joints. Add to that the fact that the TMJ symptoms might not arise for months or years following the accident.
What Do You Do Next?
Your doctor will have to diagnose your TMJ disorder and can administer treatment ranging from orthodontic appliances to anti-inflammatory medications to surgery. Massage and acupuncture can also sometimes be beneficial.
If you think you have TMJ injuries from a car accident, then it’s wise to get it confirmed by a doctor.
Call 1-800-897-8440 today to make an appointment or to learn about your options and find a suitable medical professional in your area.
