Bruxism occurs when we grind our teeth, damaging portions of our smile and leading to serious consequences. However, there is another jaw joint disorder often related to teeth grinding known as TMJ disorder, or TMD. In today’s blog, your Tucson, AZ, dentist will look at the causes of TMJ, and why your headaches and jaw pain could be a sign you need treatment!
Jaw Pain and Other Warning Signs
How do you know if you have TMD and require treatment? Well, the issue often leads to uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and migraines, as well as pain in the face, neck, and shoulders. You may notice your jaw pops or clicks, and if you grind your teeth as well, they could feel sensitive or even ache. The issue is caused by pressure placed on the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw and skull and control the movements needed to eat and speak.
Possible Causes
What causes the pressure spoke of above? Well, if you lose teeth this upsets your bite balance and leads to pressure. The same goes for untreated teeth grinding and clenching, injury to the face or jaw, or dental misalignment, like crooked, crowded, and overlapping teeth. If you begin to experience any of the symptoms we’ve discusses so far, let us know. When we examine your smile, we will look for common indicators of trouble and assess the factors behind your jaw joint strain. From there, we can choose the appropriate treatment or treatments to restore health and comfort to your smile.
Treating Your TMD
If you have misalignment, we could correct this issue with Invisalign® clear aligners. We also have lifelike and durable dental crowns to help correct bite balance. But we often treat this disorder with an oral appliance, one that looks and fits in your mouth much like a nightguard. We create the device by taking a series of images and impressions of your smile, which we use in the design and fabrication process.
Do You Have Questions About Preventive Dental Care?
At our Tucson, AZ, dentist’s office, our team is ready to help tackle your TMD issues and return your smile to optimal health and function. If you have questions about preventive and general dental care, contact us today to schedule a visit by calling our office at 520-296-5439.
