If you’ve ever felt that your jaw has a personality of its own — popping when it wants, locking when it pleases, or aching like it worked the night shift — you’re not alone. TMJ pain is one of those problems people think they just have to “live with,” but here’s the truth: you don’t. At Bentley Family Dentistry, we help patients across Central Alberta understand, diagnose, and treat TMJ pain with a friendly, down-to-earth approach that focuses on long-term comfort.
This blog breaks down what TMJ pain feels like, what causes it, and how a TMJ dentist in Central Alberta can help you finally get relief.
Symptoms: What TMJ Pain Actually Feels Like
TMJ pain is sneaky because it doesn’t always start in the jaw. Sure, jaw discomfort is common, but many patients experience symptoms they never realized were connected to their temporomandibular joint.
Here’s what TMJ pain can look like:
Jaw symptoms
• Aching jaw joints
• Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
• Locking (open or closed)
• Difficulty chewing
• Tired, tight jaw muscles
Head and facial symptoms
• Headaches or temple pressure
• Ear pain or ringing
• Facial tenderness
• Pain behind the eyes
• “Sinus pain” that never seems to go away
Neck & posture symptoms
• Stiff shoulders
• Neck tension
• Posture-related discomfort
If you’re nodding along thinking “Yep, that’s me,” you’re in good company. Many Central Alberta patients deal with these symptoms for years before discovering the cause is actually the jaw—not their ears, sinuses, or pillow.
Causes: Why TMJ Problems Start in the First Place
TMJ pain usually comes from a combination of issues, not just one isolated event. At Bentley Family Dentistry, we take a big-picture view to figure out the why behind the discomfort.
Here are the most common culprits:
1. Bite Misalignment
When your teeth don’t fit together properly, the jaw muscles work overtime to compensate. Eventually, they get tired and sore — just like any overworked muscle.
2. Clenching or Grinding (Often at Night)
If you clench your teeth during stress, sleep, or when you’re “thinking hard,” you’re not alone. Grinding puts incredible pressure on the jaw joints.
3. Stress & Muscle Tension
TMJ is one of the first places your body stores stress. Think of it as the neck-and-jaw version of clenching your fists.
4. Injury or Trauma
A fall, a hit during sports, or even dental work done years ago can contribute to jaw imbalance.
5. Airway & Breathing Issues
When the airway is restricted during sleep, the body often repositions the jaw to open it. Over time, this can strain the TMJ.
6. Posture Problems
Head-forward posture (thanks, smartphones) puts pressure on the jaw joints and neck muscles.
No matter the cause, TMJ pain is your body’s way of saying, “Hey… we need to fix this.”
Treatment: How a TMJ Dentist in Central Alberta Can Help
TMJ pain is treatable — and no, we don’t start with surgery. At Bentley Family Dentistry, treatment is designed around your unique bite, your jaw movement, and your daily habits.
Here’s what TMJ treatment can include:
Comprehensive Evaluation
We look at bite alignment, jaw movement, muscle tension, posture, and your dental history. Understanding the whole picture is key.
Custom Bite Appliances
These aren’t the boil-and-bite guards from the store. A custom appliance helps reduce muscle strain, balance the bite, and support proper jaw alignment.
Jaw & Muscle Therapy
Gentle exercises, muscle relaxation strategies, and postural awareness can make a big difference.
Nighttime Solutions
If grinding or clenching is part of the problem, we’ll design a plan to protect the teeth and reduce morning soreness.
Airway Screening
If breathing plays a role, we can help you find the right path to improve airflow during sleep.
Restorative Adjustments (When Needed)
Sometimes small balancing corrections or restorative adjustments help the bite fit together more comfortably.
The goal is simple:
Stop the strain, restore proper function, and give you a jaw that behaves itself again.
Your Jaw Deserves Better — And So Do You
TMJ pain doesn’t magically disappear on its own. In fact, waiting often makes symptoms worse. If jaw discomfort, headaches, or neck tension are becoming part of your “new normal,” it’s time to break the cycle.
Bentley Family Dentistry offers friendly, modern, whole-body TMJ care for patients across Central Alberta — built on the values of comfort, clarity, and compassionate treatment.
Small town heart. Big city care.
Your jaw will thank you.
