Patients very often will self-diagnose, especially strong, chronic “bad” headaches as “migraine,” usually without the diagnosis of a neurologist. The typical headache TMJ patient’s exhibit is temporal headaches. The reason TMJ patients most often suffer from temporal headaches is because the temporalis muscle, which is located at the sides of the head, is the positioning muscle of the mandible, or lower jaw. If the teeth clenched together place the mandible at an unfavorable relationship to the head and neck complex, the temporalis muscle is overactivated and goes into spasm. Overworked muscles of chewing, like overworked muscles in any sport, can fatigue, be filled with toxins and cause pain perceived as headaches. Clenchers and grinders often wake up in the mornings with temporal headaches. This misalignment of the mandible is an orthopedic problem which can be corrected, thus eliminating temporal headaches related to the bite or occlusion.

“The doctor says I have Meniere’s Disease.” Ear symptoms are very common with TMJ dysfunction. ENT specialists understand that due to the very close proximity of the TMJ to the ears, if there is no organic problem in the ears, then there is probably a connection of dizziness, tinnitus, ear congestion, ear pain and even inner ear related nausea to TMJ issues. An easy test for this is to place a finger in each ear and press lightly toward the face. If you can feel the condyle (the bony part of the TMJ) of the mandible when you tap your teeth together, then you are likely to have ear symptoms.

“The doctor says I have Meniere’s Disease.” Ear symptoms are very common with TMJ dysfunction. ENT specialists understand that due to the very close proximity of the TMJ to the ears, if there is no organic problem in the ears, then there is probably a connection of dizziness, tinnitus, ear congestion, ear pain and even inner ear related nausea to TMJ issues. An easy test for this is to place a finger in each ear and press lightly toward the face. If you can feel the condyle (the bony part of the TMJ) of the mandible when you tap your teeth together, then you are likely to have ear symptoms.

Hyperactivity of the chewing muscles is usually accompanied by hyperactivity of the other muscles of the head and neck complex, i.e., the neck and shoulder muscles. The human body is a highly complex system of interrelated parts. As a TMJ dentist, the way I look at my patients is almost holistic in manner, if you will. TMJ patients often report trigger points of pain in the neck and shoulders. Palpating these muscles usually feels good to the patient because it is like giving them a massage, or simply stimulating and working out the knots in their neck and upper back caused by the tightening and hyperactivity of these muscles. The combined hyperactivity of these muscles sometimes constricts, or puts pressure on the radial nerves which exit the nervous system at the level of the neck and innervate the upper limbs. This constriction, or tightening, on the nerves of the arm may be manifested in tingling of the fingers.

There is a muscle that attaches to the back of the eye socket on one end and to the mandible on the other end. This muscle is called the sphenomandibularis. If there is hyperactivity in the chewing muscles, this muscle can also be involved and refer pain to the back of the eye.

Other symptoms that can be associated with TMJ are pain in the muscles of the face, fatigue of the whole body, getting tired chewing gum, getting tired smiling too much, frequent coughing, blurred vision, swelling of the face, cracks in the corners of the mouth. As one can imagine, any combination of these symptoms mentioned can greatly affect the quality of one’s life.

Other symptoms that can be associated with TMJ are pain in the muscles of the face, fatigue of the whole body, getting tired chewing gum, getting tired smiling too much, frequent coughing, blurred vision, swelling of the face, cracks in the corners of the mouth. As one can imagine, any combination of these symptoms mentioned can greatly affect the quality of one’s life.

The area of the brain that controls the chewing muscles and the TMJ also controls wakefulness and alertness. So, if there is hyperactivity in that region of the brain involving the mouth, sometimes there is overstimulation in the neighboring regions of the brain. This crossing over, excess stimulation can actually cause a patient to have insomnia.

Other symptoms that can be associated with TMJ are pain in the muscles of the face, fatigue of the whole body, getting tired chewing gum, getting tired smiling too much, frequent coughing, blurred vision, swelling of the face, cracks in the corners of the mouth. As one can imagine, any combination of these symptoms mentioned can greatly affect the quality of one’s life.

Other symptoms that can be associated with TMJ are pain in the muscles of the face, fatigue of the whole body, getting tired chewing gum, getting tired smiling too much, frequent coughing, blurred vision, swelling of the face, cracks in the corners of the mouth. As one can imagine, any combination of these symptoms mentioned can greatly affect the quality of one’s life.

Other symptoms that can be associated with TMJ are pain in the muscles of the face, fatigue of the whole body, getting tired chewing gum, getting tired smiling too much, frequent coughing, blurred vision, swelling of the face, cracks in the corners of the mouth. As one can imagine, any combination of these symptoms mentioned can greatly affect the quality of one’s life.

Patients suffering from “TMJ” (temporo-mandibular joint, or jaw joint) dysfunction can exhibit a wide variety of head and neck symptoms beyond the usual popping, clicking, clenching and grinding. These diverse symptoms may confuse not only the lay person but also physicians and dentists as well, leading to misdiagnosis of these patients. Typically, TMJ patients go from doctor to doctor, searching for relief from their pain.


My personal mission is to provide you with a direct path to healing and relief of these debilitating symptoms

ROSEMARY SHIROMA ROJAS, D.D.S., M.I.C.C.M.O.
American Sector Vice President
International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics