Even though most of the pain and injuries associated with the jaw joint are manageable and treatable, it’s still incredibly important that you get medical attention if you are experiencing symptoms after an accident.
In this article, we explain the anatomy of a jaw, what quantifies a TMJ disorder, the effect a car crash can have on a jaw joint, and the treatment options available to you if you sustain a jaw injury.
What Is The TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, (TMJ), is the hinge that connects your jaw, or mandible, to the temporal bones in your skull. It’s located directly in front of each ear, and is what allows you to perform complex and forceful movements with your lower jaw, such as moving it up and down and side to side. In other words, the TMJ is what allows you to yawn, chew and talk.
What Is A TMJ Disorder?
TMJ injuries are a type of temporomandibular disorder, or TMD, that can cause pain in the temporomandibular joint as well as the jaw muscles that control its movement. TMJ disorders occur when ligaments and muscles around the TMJ become inflamed or painful.
The jaw bone can be somewhat fragile, so things like teeth clenching, stress and arthritis can cause a TMJ disorder. Additionally, external factors, like intense pressure or being struck with an object, can injure the temporomandibular joint. When this happens, it can have a huge impact on essential daily activities, such as sleeping, talking or eating.
Some symptoms of TMJ disorder include:
- Inability to move the jaw
- Throbbing or dull facial pain
- Ear pain
- Headaches, especially immediately after waking up
- Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
- Tenderness
- Joint pain
- Back, shoulder and neck pain
- Teeth sensitivity
- Light sensitivity
- Dizziness
- Clicking when moving the jaw, particularly when chewing
How An Auto Accident Can Affect The Jaw Joint
Jaw injuries are a surprisingly common byproduct of motor vehicle accidents, specifically rear-end collisions. When your skull and/or neck experience a heavy impact, like from hitting an airbag, dashboard or window, it can result in serious injuries to your TMJ. These injuries are often the result of your neck and head being forcefully thrown forward and back. This specific type of trauma is known as whiplash, and it often results in whiplash-associated disorders (WADs).
Though some of the most common symptoms of whiplash trauma are neck pain and a limited range of motion, it can also cause a jaw dislocation, sprain or fracture. Some of these types of injuries can seem like a minor annoyance, but even a seemingly simple car accident injury that affects your jaw bone can contribute to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which is why it’s imperative that you seek medical treatment immediately if you’re experiencing jaw pain after an accident.
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Why Car Accidents Can Cause Ear Pain
Like your jaw bone, the inner ear is incredibly complex and fragile. When the ear is struck by things like airbags or debris, it can apply pressure that damages your ear canal and/or inner ear. The following symptoms usually accompany an ear injury:
- Nausea
- Pain
- Dizziness
- Trouble hearing
- Feeling like the ear is blocked
- Ringing in ears, also known as tinnitus
In some cases, tinnitus can result from a whiplash injury. Any trauma to your ear is potentially dangerous and requires a physician’s evaluation, but you should seek emergency medical attention if you have fluid or blood in your ear canal. Fluid in the ear canal usually signals an underlying and much more serious injury, such as a spinal injury or skull fracture.
What To Do If You’re Experiencing Possible TMJ Pain
If you sustain any injuries from a car crash, you should have them evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible. In fact, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention after a crash even if you’re not experiencing obvious signs of trauma. There are some injuries that, though serious, won’t become evident immediately after an accident. A medical professional can identify any issues and develop a treatment plan.
Though all injuries can be potentially dangerous, it’s especially important that you seek medical attention as soon as you notice signs of TMJ, such as:
- Headaches
- Ear ringing
- Difficulty chewing
- Trouble swallowing
- Ear pain
- Jaw pain
Depending on the symptoms and their severity, you may need to consult with your primary care physician, an ear, nose, throat (ENT) doctor or your dentist.
The Diagnosis Of TMJ Disorders
In order to diagnose jaw disorders, doctors may perform a variety of tests, such as:
- Physical examinations of the head, joint and muscles to test for sensitivity, tenderness or pain
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Evaluations of bite alignment
TMJ Injury Treatment Options
Doctors use a variety of therapies and non-invasive practices to relieve symptoms of TMJ injuries, including:
- Offering orthodontic care
- Prescribing anti-inflammatory medications
- Prescribing the use of mouth guards
- Teaching various stress management strategies
- Applying heat or ice to the affected area
- Massaging the jaw muscles and their surrounding soft tissue
Though surgery is sometimes necessary in extreme cases, it’s rarely a recommended treatment, and only after all other options have failed.
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Florin|Roebig: Car Accident Attorneys
TMJ disorders are often manageable, but their diagnosis and treatment can be costly. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident and are experiencing symptoms of a TMJ injury, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced car accident lawyer can review your insurance coverage, submit your insurance claim and help you get the help you deserve to cover your medical bills.
The personal injury attorneys at Florin|Roebig fight on behalf of accident victims every day, ensuring that they receive the compensation they deserve, regardless of any hidden insurance policy disclaimers. Call today at (800) 226-6581 for your free consultation.
