The temporomandibular joint is commonly shortened to TMJ, but you know it as your jaw. You need this part of your body in proper working order so you can chew your food, drink, and talk, so it is easy to see why TMJ or jaw pain from whiplash becomes a major problem.
Jaw pain is commonly experienced along with other symptoms of whiplash after an accident, but when it doesn’t go away or continues to get worse with time, immediate medical attention should be sought. There is a complication of whiplash in the neck that affects the jaw. It is often referred to as TMJ disease or TMJ pain. Essentially, we are talking about pain in the jaw.
Symptoms of TMJ or Jaw Pain
It is important to understand that TMJ disease or pain is a complication of whiplash, rather than a direct sign that you have whiplash. You may have very little to no jaw pain at the time of your accident, but within the next weeks or months you may start to experience some or all of the following signs:
- Inability to open your jaw all the way
- Pain in the jaw
- Clicking noise when you open your jaw
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Pain and/or pressure behind the eyes and in the ears
- Earaches
These symptoms can develop a week or even a couple months after the accident if you suffered from severe whiplash in the accident. Of course, you may also be experiencing other signs of whiplash such as a stiff neck or pain in the neck and lower skull.
If you do feel TMJ or jaw pain from whiplash right after your accident, you should go ahead and see a doctor to determine if TMJ disease is going to be a problem. This is beneficial if you are filing a claim with someone else’s insurance and want to make sure all of your resulting medical conditions are covered in your claim. When the symptoms have delayed onset it can be more difficult to get coverage if you have already settled the claim.
Treating TMJ or Jaw Pain from Whiplash
There is no way to cure TMJ disease after it develops. You can go through various forms of physical therapy in order to control the pain and live as comfortably as possible, but this is a condition that cannot be outright cured. Some people may experience TMJ or jaw pain from whiplash immediately after an accident and it may ease off along with the whiplash in the neck. For others it can develop into more serious TMJ pain that lasts for a long time, if not a lifetime.
This article is considered general information only; please consult a medical professional concerning your specific condition.
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