What to track before a jaw pain consultation

Why the diary matters

TMD is a group of conditions involving the joint, the muscles or both, and the pattern points the examination: morning soreness, clenching and stress suggest muscle; clicking, locking and pain on wide opening suggest the joint; some patterns point to teeth or to other causes entirely. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research describes these groups and notes there is no single diagnostic test (NIDCR).

What to record

• Time of day and what you were doing
• Where: joint in front of the ear, cheek, temple, teeth, ear
• Character: ache, sharp, pressure
• Duration
• Sounds: click, pop, grating
• Locking or catching
• Headache, ear fullness, ringing
• Grinding or clenching noticed
• Stress, sleep, caffeine
• What helped

What the examination adds

Range of opening and sideways movement, joint sounds and tenderness, muscle palpation, the teeth and bite, cold and bite tests for tooth causes (AAE), and imaging only when it would change the plan.

Questions to ask at the visit

Is this muscle, joint, tooth or something else? What reversible steps come first? Should a physician or physical therapist be involved? What would make you reassess?

When not to wait two weeks

Locking, severe pain, swelling, fever, numbness, or symptoms after an injury.

If any of these apply, this is not a dental-office problem first: trouble breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading swelling of the face or neck, fever with facial swelling, bleeding that will not stop, or a serious injury to the head or jaw. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not use the appointment request form for these.

Next step: Request a consultation or call (805) 565-5111. A request is not a confirmed appointment; the office confirms times during its listed hours (Monday to Thursday, 8 am to 5 pm, plus select Fridays).