Do you regularly suffer from headaches? Do you feel soreness in your jaw? These are common symptoms of two different oral health concerns. While TMD and bruxism are separate disorders, they are often linked to one another. How does the doctor identify the problem plaguing your smile? What are your treatment options?
TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is a jaw joint disorder that occurs when one or both of the joints undergo excessive amounts of stress. The strain can be the result of injury, tooth loss, misalignment, or injury or the jaw or face. In addition, chronic teeth grinding, or bruxism, can lead to jaw joint stress. The earliest indicators of the issue may include headaches, popping or clicking in the jaw, and soreness in the jaw or face. Without treatment, TMD can eventually make opening and closing your mouth difficult.
Bruxism
Chronic teeth grinding or jaw clenching is known as bruxism. You may develop teeth grinding as a result of tooth loss, stress, injury to the jaw or face, malocclusion, or untreated TMJ disorder. In many cases, people with bruxism only grind their teeth at night, so you should be aware of the common warning signs, such as headaches, soreness in the jaw or face, tooth sensitivity, and toothaches. Without treatment, teeth grinding can crack or a chip a tooth, or possibly even wear down the enamel. Soon, you can have an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Treatment Options
For TMJ disorder, we can often prescribe an oral appliance. Worn at night, the device is similar to a nightguard and repositions the jaw to ease strain. For teeth grinding, the device can place a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing further damage as a result of grinding and clenching. If you have any questions about treating TMJ disorder or teeth grinding, then contact our office today.
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.
