TMJ disorders are highly painful bite disorders that occur when there is stress or injury to the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These joints help connect the jaw bone to the skull. If you have TMD, you can clench or grind your teeth, experience regular headaches, and encounter jaw pain. TMJ treatment in Groesbeck, TX, can reduce these symptoms and prevent long-term damage to your joints and muscles.
TMJ treatment is one of our restorative dentistry treatment options. Treating TMJ disorders can renew the function of the teeth and jaw. Visting Groesbeck Family Dental, we offer TMJ treatment, which can also make everyday life more comfortable.
Why Do I Have a TMJ Disorder?
There are multiple common causes of TMJ disorders. An uneven bite, joint injury, arthritis, or stress can cause TMD. As a result, you may begin clenching your teeth and jaw. Over time, you can involuntarily grind your teeth during sleep or when stressed.
Pressure on the TMJ can affect the surrounding muscles in the face and upper body. Eating hard and crunchy foods, poor posture, and increased stress can cause TMJ flare-ups, which worsens your symptoms.
Signs of TMJ Disorders
You likely have TMD if you have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Difficulty eating hard foods
- Improper bite (mallocclusion)
- Jaw popping and clicking when eating
- Neck and back pain
- Jaw pain and soreness
Contact our office if you notice any of these problems. Treating TMD can improve your quality of life by reducing discomfort. If you leave TMD untreated, you can experience tooth wear, chronic pain, and damage to your joints.
TMJ Treatment in Groesbeck, TX
There are multiple common ways to treat TMD. A combination of all of these treatments is useful if you have TMD:
Night Guards
A night guard is a mouthguard-like appliance covering upper or lower teeth. We recommend night guards for patients who clench and grind their teeth during sleep. Many patients do not realize they clench and grind their teeth unless they wake up with headaches or jaw and tooth pain.
Uneven bites can contribute to bruxism. To create a night guard, we must first measure your bite to see which areas are worn more than others. This will help us ensure the night guard is even. Then, we take dental impressions. We send these impressions to a lab, where technicians create the night guard from acrylic.
Wearing this custom night guard during sleep will prevent your upper and lower teeth from touching. The night guard will also relieve pressure on your jaw. Regular use of a night guard can help prevent morning headaches due to teeth clenching and grinding.
Physical Therapy
In addition to night guards, we recommend visiting a physical therapist. During physical therapy, you can learn jaw, arm, and upper back exercises to work the muscles in the upper body. Tension in the upper body can contribute to TMJ symptoms.
Physical therapists also use heat and massage to relax the facial muscles. Making appointments with physical therapists can help manage your symptoms. Physical therapists help teach relaxation techniques and exercises you can use at home to address TMJ flare-ups.
At-Home Care
Lifestyle changes can help reduce strain in the upper body, especially the jaw. Poor posture and stress can contribute to TMJ symptoms. Avoid hunching over when you’re on your phone or computer. Placing objects higher up as you read or work can reduce stress on your head and neck.
To help relax your jaw, place the tip of the tongue on the roof of your mouth behind your upper teeth. Notice when you’re clenching your jaw. In those moments, you can relax your jaw. We may also recommend eating soft foods for multiple weeks to reduce your TMJ and jaw stress.
If you have TMD due to a severe injury to your jaw, you may require surgery. However, this is for the most severe cases. Surgery can repair the cartilage disc in the joint. This disc helps you smoothly open and close your jaw. Damage to the disc can contribute to ongoing TMJ problems.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Learn more about TMD and related problems with answers to these common questions:
Does ice or heat help with jaw pain?
Using a cold compress will reduce swelling if you just injured your jaw. However, you can use heat if you have chronic jaw pain. Many patients with TMJ disorders require heat to help relax their jaw muscles. Put heat on your jaw for fifteen minutes at a time.
How do you clean a night guard?
You can clean a TMJ night guard with a mouthguard cleaner. Soaking a night guard in lukewarm water and mouth guard cleaner will reduce harmful bacteria that collect on the guard. Clean the night guard after each use.
Can treating crooked teeth help treat TMJ disorders?
In some cases, crooked teeth can contribute to TMD. You’re more likely to clench or grind your teeth if you have an uneven bite. Straightening crooked teeth may reduce stress on the jaw and the bite. However, dentists will not recommend treatments like Invisalign if you grind your teeth because you can damage the clear aligners.
Why do I grind my teeth during sleep?
There can be many reasons why you grind your teeth at night:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Acid reflux
- Hyperactivity
- SSRI’s
- Sleep apnea
- Imbalanced bite
No matter the cause, you require professional care to stop grinding your teeth. Wearing a night guard, seeing a physical therapist, or receiving orthodontic treatment can help reduce teeth grinding. Changing your medication can also help, as some antidepressants may have teeth grinding as a side effect.
Are TMJ disorders permanent?
In most cases, TMJ disorders are not permanent. With the proper care, you can manage your symptoms. The sooner you receive treatment, the easier it will be to manage TMD. Working with our dentist and a physical therapist can help treat the source of your symptoms.
How do you treat tooth wear from teeth grinding?
Tooth bonding or crowns are effective treatments for tooth chips, cracks, or wear. Dental bonding is a minimally invasive treatment that adds tooth-colored materials to teeth. Tooth crowns are best for larger areas of wear because they fully cover teeth like caps.
Treat Your Jaw Pain
Are you looking for effective TMJ treatment in Groesbeck, TX? Call Groesbeck Family Dental today at (254) 556-3973. Schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Todd Collins online.