Do you often experience pain in your jaw joints, such as when you eat? Do you often have aching teeth or facial discomfort? There are two common oral health issues that can lead to discomfort and eventually, damage to the teeth: TMJ disorder and teeth grinding. Do you have TMJ or bruxism? How do you identify the problem? What treatment will the doctor recommend?
What Do You Do If You Have TMJ or Bruxism?
- True or False: TMJ is a jaw joint disorder.
- True or False: Bruxism refers to frequent teeth grinding.
- True or False: Both issues can lead to complications.
- True or False: An oral appliance can help address both issues.
Answer Key
- True. Our temporomandibular joints connect the jaw and skull, allowing the motions necessary to eat and speak. However, when one of the joints undergoes excessive stress then TMD can develop. The disorder can cause discomfort when chewing and make opening and closing the mouth completely a difficult task. Common warning signs include a popping or clicking in the jaw, as well as headaches and jaw pain.
- True. Bruxism occurs when patients frequently clench their teeth or grind them. The repetitive grinding and/or clenching can wear away tooth enamel and eventually damage the teeth. Patients typically only grind their teeth at night so they need to be aware of common daytime symptoms, such as toothaches, headaches, and pain the jaw or face.
- True. TMJ dysfunction can often lead to teeth grinding. In addition, teeth grinding can strain the jaw joints, leading to the onset of TMJ disorder. Bruxism can also increase the risk of tooth decay and infection since the protective layer of tooth enamel becomes damage from the persistent grinding.
- True. Aside from improving malocclusion with restorations or replacing lost teeth, these issues can also be addressed with an oral appliance. Similar to a nightguard in appearance, the device repositions the jaw to ease tension and places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA, NY, DENTIST:
Jeffrey Leibowitz, DDS, a native New Yorker, has welcomed patients and families from in and around Astoria, NY (including Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and all surrounding communities) since opening his dental practice in 1991. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Leibowitz, call our office in Astoria today at 718-728-8320.
