What is another sign that may suggest temporomandibular joint disorders related to occlusion?

• A. Jaw pain or restricted movement.
• B. Headache unrelated to jaw.
• C. Increased tongue thrust.
• D. Increased saliva production.

Answer: (B)

Occlusion-related temporomandibular disorders often produce signs that extend beyond jaw discomfort, with headaches being a notable example. When the bite is off, the jaw muscles can stay tense and the temporomandibular joint can be stressed, leading to referred pain that manifests as headaches, commonly in the temple region. This is why a patient might report a headache in addition to or even apart from jaw pain. Jaw pain or restricted movement is a direct and obvious sign of TMD, but headaches reflect how jaw dysfunction can affect surrounding structures through muscle tension and nerve pathways. Increased tongue thrust or more saliva production aren’t typical or reliable indicators of occlusion-related TMD, making headache a more relevant non-jaw sign to consider.