There is more to dental health than simply having bright, shiny teeth. Your pearly whites can withstand a lot of pressure from daily chewing and speaking. However, frequent tooth grinding or jaw problems can cause the teeth to be worn down over time. At Mansfield Dental in Mansfield, Texas, we have a simple solution that can help prevent further damage to your teeth from common problems like TMD and bruxism. To learn more about these problems and their solution, read today’s blog.
What Is TMD?
The temporomandibular joint disorder is a problem that causes too much tension to be placed on the joints of your jaw. This can lead to frequent headaches, a misaligned bite, difficulty chewing, and may contribute to grinding your teeth.
There is no exact cause for this problem, but it may be due to genetics, alignment problems of your smile, or arthritis. This is a common issue for many adults and children throughout the US, but it should not be overlooked. If left untreated, you may face more severe problems.
What Is Bruxism?
This disorder is the constant grinding of teeth together. If you occasionally rub your teeth against each other when you are stressed, you do not have bruxism. However, if this is a chronic problem that occurs when you sleep or subconsciously, you may have this disorder.
If this problem is ignored, it can lead to the wearing down of the enamel. This can make you more susceptible to chipping or cracking a tooth, tight jaw muscles, headaches, and earaches. There is not a simple answer to what causes bruxism, but it could be due to TMD, genetics, and health conditions.
How We Treat Both Of These Problems
There is no singular cause for either of these disorders, but they are often linked to each other. Many patients who have one of these issues have the other and may also have other sleep disorders like snoring or sleep apnea. These disorders can be frustrating because you are not doing it on purpose and may find it difficult to stop on your own.
The symptoms associated with these troubles can also negatively affect your dental health because of the wearing down of bones and teeth, susceptibility to cavities, and the other health problems it can cause over time. If you feel like you have these problems, talk to your dentist. We can help diagnose the issue and produce a thorough treatment plan for you. In many cases, forms of physical therapy and an oral appliance to sleep with every night can help you.
Come In For A Consultation
Tooth grinding and jaw problems should not be overlooked. To schedule an appointment or to find out more about how we can help you maintain healthy teeth, please contact us by calling 817-473-6227.
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