Do Your Headaches Mean TMJ Disorder?
We’ve recently talked about bruxism, or chronic teeth grinding, and how this could harm your smile unless treated. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist would like to discuss a related disorder known as TMD, or TMJ disorder, and how we diagnose and treat this issue to prevent damaged teeth and aching facial muscles.
The Causes of Your Headaches and Jaw Pain
The disorder develops when issues arise that impact the balance of your bite, subsequently straining the joints that connect your jaw and face. These factors could include tooth loss, injury to your face or jaw, untreated bruxism (teeth grinding), high levels of stress, dental misalignment, and issues with old restorations or prosthetics. Over time, TMJ disorder could arise, and with it, a host of uncomfortable symptoms.
Symptoms and Complications of TMD
People with the disorder often report a popping or clicking in the jaw, as well as facial, neck, and shoulder pain. Many people report headaches and migraines, too. The disorder could also lead to the onset of teeth grinding. With bruxism comes serious pressure on the teeth, pressure that could eventually wear them down or even crack and chip outer structure. The exposed inner structures mean the onset of tooth decay and dental infection, causing further pain and risking the stability of your smile. Untreated TMD could also mean trouble fully opening and closing your mouth, which impacts how well you can eat and speak!
Creating Your Treatment Plan
First, we will examine your smile carefully with advanced digital technology. We want to discover the factors behind your TMD, and assess the overall severity. From there, we will decide on the best course of treatment. For some, we could use orthodontics, such as clear aligners, to correct the position of the teeth and improve bite balance. We could also correct balance with the placement of a dental crown.
For most however, we will create and custom-fit an oral appliance, one that fits like a mouthguard and is worn as you sleep. The device will actually reposition the jaw joints to ease pressure and restore balance. The same device then places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth, preventing further damage if you grind your teeth. Dental bonding or crowns could also be used to repair any damaged teeth too. If you have any questions about how we approach diagnosing and treating issues like TMD or bruxism, then contact our team today.
Your Cleveland, TX Dentist’s Office Treats Jaw Joint Strain
Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX is ready to help you avoid long-term complications due to teeth grinding. To learn more about how we use general and preventive treatments to address strained jaw joints or imbalanced bites, then contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.