How We Can Help Address Your Jaw Pain
Do you frequently experience pain and discomfort around your jaw or neck? Are your teeth often sensitive? These may be symptoms of TMJ dysfunction or bruxism. Your Cleveland, TX, family dentistry team can help determine the cause of these problems and bring relief to your smile. In today’s blog, we’ll explain why these disorders need to be treated.
Bruxism Causes Excessive Wear
Bruxism is a condition that causes patients to chronically grind their teeth together or clench their jaws. This is done when you are unaware, which can make it hard to stop on your own. If this happens for long amounts of time without treatment, it can wear down your pearly whites. This can cause sensitivity, higher chances of harm, and may even worsen symptoms of TMJ. Worn down teeth can become sensitive and easily prone to breakage. To protect them from this, dental crowns may be placed over them after your symptoms of bruxism have been treated. Since this often happens when you are asleep or unaware, it can be difficult to tell when you are doing it. If you often experience headaches in the morning, have sensitive teeth, or earaches, these could be signs of the condition. You can discuss your symptoms with your dentist at your next checkup.
TMJ Disorder Can Harm Your Smile
Our temporomandibular joints connect our jawbone to our skull. These joints help us open and close our mouths, chew, and speak. When you have TMJ disorder, an excessive amount of pressure is placed on your joints. This can cause headaches, pain around the face, a clicking sound when you open your mouth, and many other symptoms. These side effects can be frustrating as they can interrupt your daily functions. Aside from physical symptoms, serious cases of TMD can cause your teeth to shift out of place, may worsen bruxism, and can cause chronic headaches or pain around your face. Your dentist may have concerns about TMJ because it can affect your overall health, including your oral health.
These Concerns Can Be Corrected Without Surgery
Bruxism and TMJ can be worrisome conditions, but they can often be resolved with a simple, non-surgical solution. Your dentist will examine your smile and will ask you questions about symptoms you are experiencing. These signs and side effects can help create an official diagnosis. Then, they can take an impression of your smile to create an oral appliance. This oral appliance can help relieve symptoms of chronic teeth grinding and temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The appliance will protect your teeth from clenching as you sleep. In the morning, you can wake up with less headaches and feel well-rested. It can also help balance the pressure placed on your jaw.
Talk To Your Dentist About An Oral Appliance
If you are experiencing symptoms of TMJ or bruxism, we can help! To schedule an appointment with Cleveland Family Dentistry, speak to our team today by calling (281) 592-1234.