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Both TMJ disorder and bruxism are common jaw joint disorders, often linked, that could cause poor oral health and lead to painful symptoms in and around the head and jaw. In order to treat them, your Mansfield, TX, dentists may design and create a custom-made oral appliance. Learn how to identify, and treat, these common disorders in today’s blog.

TMJ Disorder

Also known as TMD, this disorder impacts millions of people and occurs when our temporomandibular joints undergo excessive strain. Eventually, TMD could make opening and closing the mouth difficult. Warning signs vary, but could include headaches, jaw pain, cracking or popping the jaw, or aches in the neck or shoulders. If you experience these warning signs let us know right away. The factors behind the jaw joint strain may include tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, bite imbalance, dental misalignment, and the presence of teeth grinding.

Bruxism

Bruxism means we routinely grind and clench our teeth at night. This disorder could be caused by untreated TMD, or could lead to the onset of TMD. Other factors behind the disorder include tooth loss, poor alignment, and bite imbalance, as well as high levels of stress in your day-to-day life. Over time, the disorder places enormous pressure on the teeth, wearing them down or even cracking and chipping them. This damage then increases the risk of cavities, infection and yes, eventual tooth loss. Symptoms may include headaches, tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and pain in the face, jaw, or neck.

Custom Oral Appliances  

How do we treat these unique and often related oral health issues? Typically with the same appliance! After we take detailed impressions and measurements of your smile, our team will craft a device that looks and fits like a mouthguard. The oral appliance will be worn at night and repositions the jaw to ease tension and prevent future TMJ-related symptoms. The device also places a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage to them when we grind our teeth. Other treatment options could include orthodontics to correct misalignment, crown placement to ease bite imbalance, daily muscles exercises, and warm compress against the side of the face. If you have any questions about identifying and treating these jaw joint disorders, then please contact our team today to learn more.

Ready to Treat Your Jaw Pain?

If you have headaches or jaw pain, then you could benefit from preventive dental care. We can identify the source of your discomfort and recommend comfortable and convenient treatment options to return your smile to full function and health. For more information on our custom mouthguards and other preventive treatment options, then schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.