You have two little joints on either side of your head, right in front of your ears. These are called your temporomandibular joints—or TMJs—and they work like hinges, letting your jaw open, close, talk, yawn, chew, and smile.

But just like any other joint in your body, they can get strained, overused, misaligned, or inflamed. That’s when things start to hurt—and that’s TMJ disorder.

TMJ issues can be sneaky. Some symptoms you might not even connect to your jaw at first. But if you’ve been dealing with any of these, your TMJ might be the hidden culprit:

• Jaw pain or tenderness (especially near the ears)
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds when moving your jaw
• Headaches or migraines (especially in the morning)
• Pain while chewing or yawning
• Stiffness or locking of the jaw
• Sore or tired face muscles
• Neck, shoulder, or upper back tension
• Teeth that feel like they’ve shifted or “don’t line up right”

If left untreated, TMJ problems can get worse over time—leading to permanent joint damage, chronic pain, and even difficulty eating or speaking.

TMJ disorder can have multiple causes. Sometimes it’s like a perfect storm—all the little things stack up and suddenly your jaw says, “I’ve had enough!”

• Teeth grinding or clenching (bruxism) – often happens during sleep, and you might not even know it

• Jaw misalignment or bite problems

• Stress and tension, which cause you to clench your muscles

• Injury or trauma to the jaw

• Arthritis or inflammation in the joint

• Overuse – chewing gum, biting nails, or even holding the phone between your shoulder and ear

✔ 30+ years of trusted care in Covina

✔ Custom-fitted oral appliances—no generic mouthguards here
✔ Personalized plans that treat the root cause, not just symptoms
✔ Experience with medical insurance billing
✔ Compassionate care in a low-stress environment