How often is jaw pain or stiffness a concern for you? Have you been experiencing more issues with headaches, or frequent troubles with tooth and jaw pain each morning? When bruxism and TMJ disorder affect you, they can cause these and other concerns. These two issues are often connected, as either one can lead to the onset of the other. At our Columbia, TN dental office, we can discuss treatment to address them. Through oral appliance therapy, we can protect you against nightly teeth grinding, and we can address trouble with poor jaw alignment. We should note that both bruxism and TMJ disorder are issues we can look for when we provide general evaluations at your regular dental checkups.
Has An Issue With Jaw Pain Or Teeth Grinding Started Affecting Your Life?
You can be understandably concerned about the onset of jaw pain or stiffness. Trouble moving your jaw can lead to daily discomfort, and you may find it difficult to open and close your mouth without some feelings of tension. If you begin to grind your teeth at night, you can feel more pain and sensitivity in the mornings. Letting these issues go unchecked can lead to more than just prolonged pain and sensitivity problems. Teeth grinding gradually wears down your enamel, and that can lead to dental damages that call for treatment.
Using Oral Appliance Therapy To Address TMJ Problems
Through the use of a custom occlusal guard, your dentist can help you correct problems with tension and poor joint alignment. When in place, it gently corrects the position of your jaw to ease stress and misalignment, which reduces pain and tension. Oral appliance therapy also helps with bruxism - by wearing a guard while you sleep, you remain protected against grinding and clenching that can damage your smile!
Treating A Smile Negatively Affected By Teeth Grinding
Unfortunately, some people do not seek help with teeth grinding and TMJ problems until they have more serious issues to worry about. Over time, grinding and clenching your teeth will wear down your enamel, and that pressure can eventually cause teeth to chip or crack. When we examine these teeth, we can determine a conservative solution that is capable of properly restoring your smile. We may be able to restore teeth with porcelain veneers, but for more significant injuries it can be necessary to use dental crowns.
Talk To Your Columbia, TN Dentist About Your Issues With TMJ Disorder And Bruxism
At Creekside Family Dentistry, we are prepared to take on the different issues that can negatively impact a person's oral health. For those who suffer from problems like TMJ disorder and bruxism, we can take on problems with poor jaw alignment and stop nightly teeth grinding before permanent dental damage occurs. If you wish to find out more about our approach to treating these issues, or any other oral health issues that concern you, please call our Columbia, TN dental practice today at 931-388-3384.