{"id":792,"date":"2025-12-05T04:57:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T04:57:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentist-tappan.com\/blog\/?p=792"},"modified":"2026-01-10T05:11:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T05:11:13","slug":"dangers-of-not-treating-tmj-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentist-tappan.com\/blog\/2025\/12\/05\/dangers-of-not-treating-tmj-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"The Dangers of Not Treating TMJ Disorder & Chronic Jaw Pain"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jaw discomfort, clicking and popping sounds, or frequent headaches may not seem like serious concerns at first\u2014after all, who doesn\u2019t get a migraine every once in a while, or pop their jaw unexpectedly? However, these recurring symptoms can be a sign of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which if left untreated, can spell bad news for your smile and overall health. Here\u2019s more about why, if you suspect you have TMJ disorder, you shouldn\u2019t hesitate to seek treatment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Exactly Is TMJ Disorder?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The temporomandibular joints allow your jaw to move smoothly when you speak, chew, smile, and yawn, or do any other motion with your mouth. TMJ disorder, sometimes shortened as TMD, occurs when these joints or the surrounding muscles become strained, misaligned, or inflamed. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to chronic pain and functional limitations; some people don\u2019t even realize there\u2019s an issue, while others deal with chronic pain or disabilities for years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is Ignoring TMJ Disorder Risky?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons why you shouldn\u2019t ignore TMD, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n