TMJ Can Harm Your Oral Health- We Can Help!
Do you ever find yourself having pain in your jaw? How about clicking sounds when you open or close your mouth? If so, you may want to talk to your dentist about TMJ. Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction is a jaw-related problem that can cause pain and limit movement when chewing or eating. This can be a very uncomfortable sensation and can cause greater problems down the line. If you want help treating this problem, see us at Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, Texas.
TMJ Can Cause Pain and Discomfort
This disorder is not life-threatening, but it can decrease your quality of life due to the many side effects. It can cause a variety of problems, from a sensation of tenderness, and stiff muscles, limiting the movement in your jaw, and can cause your upper and lower teeth to not fit together. If not treated, these symptoms can lead to chronic jaw pain, joint damage, inflammation, and the development of an airway sleep disorder.
As your dental health provider, we want to help you with these symptoms because these can affect your oral health. Many people who experience TMJ also grind their teeth- known as bruxism-which can damage your teeth over time by wearing away at the enamel. Bruxism often occurs while you sleep, and you may not even know that you are doing it. This condition is also linked to obstructive sleep apnea because the way that your joints sit can disrupt the airflow as you rest. Those with sleep disorders tend to breathe with an open mouth at night, which can increase your risk of tooth decay, dry mouth, and gum disease.
It’s important to get these symptoms looked at because they will only be increased the longer, they are left untreated.
An Oral Appliance Can Help
There are some at-home remedies you can try for your TMJ- like practicing certain stretches and avoiding chewy foods- but they are not long term. To receive a more permanent solution, talk to your dentist about your symptoms so that they can get the right treatment plan for you.
First, we’ll examine your teeth and identify specific problem areas. We may need to take X-rays for a closer look. This will help us come up with a personalized treatment plan for you.
In many cases, physical therapy and an oral sleep appliance will be effective at helping this condition. We can get you fitted with a custom oral appliance that you wear while you sleep. This looks like a retainer and helps support the lower jaw as you sleep.
Treat Your TMJ Today
If you have questions or want to schedule a consultation for your TMJ, call us at Cleveland Family Dentistry today at (281) 592-1234.