Posts Tagged ‘TMJ’
Can Teeth Grinding Be the Cause of Your Jaw Pain?
Do you wake up frequently with a dull, aching headache, a sore neck, or a stiff jaw? If so, you may be grinding and clenching your teeth while you sleep, a condition known as bruxism. Dr. Watson and her team at Hebron Family Dentistry are pleased to offer custom night guards to reduce the impacts of bruxism, helping restore your comfort and enhance your quality of life.
Understanding Bruxism
Bruxism is a term that describes chronic teeth grinding and clenching, and it affects far more people than most realize. But because it usually occurs during sleep, you may not realize that you grind or clench your teeth until a partner or family member alerts you or when telltale signs appear in a routine dental exam.
It’s often difficult to figure out the exact causes of bruxism. Contributing factors may include tooth misalignment, missing teeth, stress, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, heavy caffeine intake, certain medications, and even a genetic predisposition.
What Are the Impacts of Bruxism?
The forces generated by teeth grinding and clenching can be much stronger than those of normal chewing. Over time, the constant pressure takes a toll on your smile and your health. This can lead to complications, including the following:
- Worn or flattened teeth
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Damaged dental restorations
- Receding gums
- Morning headaches
- Sleep disruptions
- Jaw pain or stiffness
- Chronic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort
- Neck and facial pain
How Can You Manage Your Teeth Grinding?
If you grind or clench your teeth in your sleep, Dr. Watson may recommend a custom night guard. The protective oral appliance creates a barrier between the upper and lower arches, helping to cushion and absorb the forces of grinding and clenching. While not a cure for bruxism, a night guard helps protect your teeth and jaws from its harmful effects and can help relieve any related discomfort.
It is worth noting that night guards are not all the same in their level of protection. You’ll find store-bought options that are ready to wear, which may seem convenient. However, these mouthguard varieties are fabricated from generic molds that don’t provide an ideal fit, so they can sometimes worsen bruxism symptoms for some patients. Custom night guards crafted from digital impressions of your teeth provide a better, more comfortable fit and the best protection for your smile.
The Importance of Routine Dental Exams
Because teeth grinding frequently happens while you are asleep and completely unaware, keeping up with your regular dental exams is often your first line of defense. During your visits, Dr. Watson will check for flattened tooth surfaces, micro-fractures, or unusual wear, long before you ever experience jaw pain or discomfort. If you have warning signs of bruxism, Dr. Watson may recommend a custom night guard to safeguard your smile.
Night Guards Near Me in Hebron, KY
If you would like to learn more about reducing jaw pain and safeguarding your smile with a custom night guard, contact Hebron Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation. Dr. Watson and her patient-centered team are all about prevention to enhance your smile and your overall well-being. We invite you to contact us at 859-689-2021 to schedule your appointment or request one online today!
Can a Dentist Help Relieve My TMJ Pain?
If you’ve been dealing with jaw pain or clicking, you may be suffering from a condition known as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or TMD. At Hebron Family Dentistry, we understand the frustration of chronic pain and are happy to offer custom TMD solutions to relieve your discomfort. You can count on Dr. Watson and our dedicated team for exceptional care that exceeds your expectations!
What Are the Causes of TMJ Pain?
Your TMJs are small, triangular-shaped joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. There are two TMJs on each side of the jaw, in front of the ears, allowing your jaws to move up and down, side to side, and back and forth.
A temporomandibular joint disorder can leave you with debilitating pain in the jaws and surrounding muscles. Common causes may include genetics, arthritis, stress, jaw injury, crooked or missing teeth, or an uneven bite. TMD is often associated with chronic teeth grinding and clenching, a condition known as bruxism.
What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
The most common tell-tale signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders include jaw joint pain and discomfort, a clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing your mouth, and muscle pain in the cheeks and temples. Other symptoms may include tension headaches, facial pain, earaches or ringing, locking of the jaw, limited mouth movements, changes in how the upper and lower teeth fit together, and tingling of the extremities.
What Are TMD Treatment Options?
Dr. Watson will evaluate your concerns and recommend the most conservative TMJ treatment to relieve your discomfort. These may include facial exercises, muscle relaxers, or anti-inflammatory medication. Another option is a procedure known as occlusal equilibrium, which involves reshaping the biting surfaces of your teeth to help the jaw close properly.
If nighttime teeth grinding is the cause of your TMJ discomfort, Dr. Watson may recommend oral appliance therapy. That includes wearing a mouthguard called a night guard to help prevent the devastating effects of bruxism on your teeth and jaws. Your custom oral appliance will also help realign your jaw as you sleep, taking tension off your jaw joints. In some severe TMJ cases, when a patient needs more than nighttime treatment, wearing dental splints during the day may provide the needed relief.
TMD Treatment Near Me
If you are in search of non-surgical TMD solutions, our team at Hebron Family Dentistry in Hebron, KY, is here to help. Dr. Watson will evaluate your unique needs and recommend the ideal solution to provide you with long-term TMJ relief. Call us at 859-689-2021 to schedule your appointment today!