Why Many People Don't Realise They May Have TMJ Until Years Later

Some people live with jaw discomfort for years without ever considering that it may be related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Clicking when opening the mouth, tension through the jaw or shoulders, headaches, or clenching during stressful moments can slowly become part of everyday life until they no longer seem unusual.

That was the case for Elaine, a member of the at Toorak Dental Studio team, whose understanding of TMJ changed dramatically after working alongside patients and Dr Julie Ghaly (Dentist).

Rather than recognising her own symptoms immediately, it was listening to the experiences of others that made Elaine realise her “normal” might not actually be normal.

When Everyday Habits Don’t Feel Like Symptoms

Before joining the practice team, Elaine had spent many years working in the dental industry. During procedures, clinicians occasionally noticed she was clenching her teeth while concentrating. At the time, she simply assumed it was something she did without thinking.

She also experienced tension through her neck and shoulders, along with occasional jaw discomfort while chewing. Like many people, she assumed these aches were simply part of a busy life rather than something worth investigating.

It wasn’t until she began working closely with patients experiencing TMJ concerns that she started recognising similar patterns in herself.

Many patients described symptoms such as jaw clicking, facial tension, headaches or difficulty chewing. As she listened to their stories, Elaine found herself wondering whether her own experiences deserved closer attention too.

Sometimes Awareness Comes Before a Diagnosis

One of the biggest lessons Elaine learned was that TMJ concerns don’t always begin with severe pain.

Some people notice clicking or popping in the jaw. Others become aware of frequent headaches, muscle tightness around the face, neck or shoulders, or difficulty opening their mouth comfortably. Some discover signs of clenching or grinding during routine dental examinations before they notice significant symptoms themselves.

In Elaine’s case, her dentist identified wear patterns and fine crack lines on her teeth that suggested ongoing clenching and grinding. Rather than assuming stress alone was responsible, she wanted to better understand what might be contributing to these habits and whether further assessment would be helpful.

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Looking at the Bigger Picture

Following a comprehensive assessment, Elaine learned more about factors that may have been contributing to her symptoms.

Her personalised assessment included imaging and further investigations, including a sleep study, which helped build a clearer picture of her individual circumstances. Like many TMJ patients, her management plan was based on her specific findings rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Treatment recommendations can vary significantly from person to person depending on what is identified during assessment. Some patients may benefit from appliance therapy, while others may require a different combination of management strategies. The most appropriate approach is always determined after a thorough clinical evaluation.

Today, Elaine continues wearing her prescribed splint as recommended by Dr Julie and her treating team.

Reflecting on her own experience, Elaine says she has noticed significant improvements since beginning her personalised management plan.

“From my own experience with TMJ therapy, I’ve noticed my jaw muscles feel much more relaxed. I no longer experience the pain or headaches I used to, and I now require far fewer visits to my physiotherapist for neck and shoulder tension. It’s made a real difference to my day-to-day comfort.”

Elaine’s experience is her own, and every patient’s assessment, management plan and outcomes will vary depending on their individual circumstances.

She says becoming both a patient and a team member has given her a deeper appreciation for how individual every TMJ journey can be.

“Many people live with jaw clicking, clenching or facial tension for years because they assume it’s normal or unrelated. A comprehensive assessment helps us understand what’s contributing to each person’s symptoms so we can discuss the most appropriate management options for their individual circumstances.”
– Dr Julie Ghaly, Dentist

You Don’t Have to Keep Wondering

Jaw clicking, facial tension, headaches and clenching aren’t always caused by the same thing, and they don’t necessarily indicate TMJ dysfunction. However, if these symptoms are persistent, recurring or beginning to affect your daily life, a professional assessment can help identify whether your jaw joint may be involved.

Every patient at our practice receives a comprehensive assessment to better understand their individual presentation before any treatment recommendations are made. Dr Julie works alongside dentists Dr Amisha Hindocha and Dr Vivienne Tran, who also provide TMJ assessments and treatment consultations, as well as physiotherapist Ari Esterman, who helps patients manage chronic jaw pain.

By looking at the whole picture, our clinicians can discuss management options tailored to each person’s needs.