{"id":751,"date":"2022-09-16T03:57:36","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T03:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalsmiles.com\/blog\/?p=751"},"modified":"2025-10-30T19:18:21","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T19:18:21","slug":"dangers-of-tmd-if-left-untreated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalsmiles.com\/blog\/dangers-of-tmd-if-left-untreated\/","title":{"rendered":"Seek Treatment to Avoid the Long-Term Dangers of TMD"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Woman<\/a>Jaw pain may not seem like a big deal at first. After all, you can probably tolerate it easily enough or manage it with over-the-counter pain medications. However, that pain may be an indicator of TMD, a complex condition that affects the jaw joint (the TMJ). If left untreated, this disorder can lead to some significant consequences. Let\u2019s talk about the dangers of TMD and the importance of seeking professional treatment for it.<\/p>\n

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Chronic Aches and Pains<\/h2>\n

In most cases, TMD does not go away on its own. In fact, if the underlying cause of the issue isn\u2019t addressed, it can get worse and worse over time. This can lead to chronic jaw pain and frequent headaches. TMD is even known to be a migraine trigger for some people.<\/p>\n

The aches and pains do not stop at the jaw and head. TMD is known to be a descending disorder, which means that it can cause musculoskeletal issues throughout the body. Many people with this condition suffer from frequent neckaches, shoulder pain, and back aches.<\/p>\n

Joint Damage<\/h2>\n

TMD causes pain and inflammation in the TMJ. In the short-term, inflammation is fairly harmless \u2014 it can even be helpful. The longer that inflammation is allowed to continue, however, the more likely it is that joint damage will occur. Untreated TMD is associated with an increased risk of arthritis in the TMJ.<\/p>\n

Sleep Problems<\/h2>\n

TMD often arises because the lower jaw does not rest in the proper position. That can contribute to a misaligned bite and problems with the upper airway. In turn, you may not breathe properly at night, which can interfere with the quality of your sleep and lead to chronic exhaustion, mental health disorders, an increased risk of motor vehicle accidents, and a slew of serious health conditions.<\/p>\n

Reduced Quality of Life<\/h2>\n

Some ways in which TMD may adversely affect your quality of life include:<\/p>\n