TMJ is a common disorder that can cause you to place too much tension on your jaw joints. If you experience tooth grinding, headaches, earaches, or hear popping sounds coming from your jaw, you may have this problem. At Grinnell Street Dental, we have a nonsurgical way to help you. To learn more about this solution, read today’s blog.

Causes And Signs That You Have TMD

There are several factors that can contribute to this dysfunction. Your genetics, health factors, bruxism, or a previous jaw injury may all be a reason that you have a temporomandibular joint disorder. Symptoms can range from a feeling of tension in your face to having stiff muscles, which can make it difficult to open and close your mouth. It may seem easier to ignore the problem, but disregarding your symptoms can lead to other issues.

Ignoring Your Symptoms

If you do not address this problem, you may face chronic jaw pain. This can be uncomfortable and cause irritability, trouble chewing, and problems with speaking. You may also begin to have frequent headaches or migraines, which can worsen your quality of life.

Bruxism is also commonly associated with TMD. The chronic grinding of your teeth together can have negative dental health effects. Your teeth may begin to become worn down and be easier to chip or break. In addition to this, the alignment of your smile may also begin to change. That means if you have had orthodontic work in the past, it will be changed, and you may have to repeat the process.

A Non-Surgical Solution

There is a simple fix that can ease your worries and decrease your symptoms. An oral appliance is a tool that patients wear at night while sleeping. This looks like a retainer or mouthguard and supports your jaw. By using this oral appliance, you can decrease the tension that is placed on your joints. You may also experience better quality sleep, less pain in the morning, and an overall improvement.

You can purchase generic appliances at grocery stores, but they will not always target your concerns. By having one of these custom-made for your needs by your dentist, this tool can fit your needs. If you have other problems such as obstructive sleep apnea or bruxism, this may be useful as well.

At your next checkup and cleaning, talk about your concerns with your dentist. We can do a thorough examination and come up with the best treatment plan for you.

See If An Oral Appliance Is Right For You

You do not have to live with the side effects of TMJ. To learn more, or to schedule your consultation with us, call Grinnell Street Dental today at 307-672-7567.