12/12/2024
For years, Sarah believed she was suffering from TMJ disorder. Like many others, she thought her persistent jaw pain was due to a problem with her jaw. After all, she had been diagnosed multiple times by multiple providers. She had been given several mouth guards and told to avoid crunchy and chewy foods—but nothing seemed to work. Then, she discovered the surprising truth: her jaw pain wasn’t TMJ at all. It was something else entirely. Here’s Sarah’s story and why many people may be misdiagnosed.
Meet Sarah: The Frustration of Constant Jaw Pain
Sarah had been battling jaw pain for over five years. At first, it seemed manageable, but over time, her symptoms became more unpredictable and debilitating. She noticed her pain was always worse with certain triggers—especially when the weather changed.
“Every time it rains or the seasons change, my jaw pain flares up,” Sarah explained. “I especially notice it in the fall and spring, when the weather can’t seem to make up its mind.”
But it wasn’t just the weather. Sarah began to see a pattern with her diet as well.
“When I eat foods like soy, dairy, or gluten, my jaw tightens up and the pain becomes unbearable. Sometimes it's so bad, I even vomit from the pain. When it comes on, I know I'm done for the day and I need to go lay down.”
For years, Sarah believed she was suffering from TMJ disorder. Like many others, she thought her persistent jaw pain was due to a problem wi