Clenching & Grinding
Grinding and clenching your teeth, known as bruxism, can lead to cracked teeth, pain, and even tooth loss. Temporomandibular joint
disorders (TMJ/TMD) can develop from bruxism and are extremely uncomfortable disorders of the jaw. Night guards and splints help
to treat both these conditions. Bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ/TMD) are two painful conditions that can affect
your quality of life. If you are suffering from either of these conditions, give us a call. We can create a treatment plan for you to help your condition and make your life more comfortable.
Bruxism
- Bruxism is the medical name for teeth grinding or clenching. Some people who suffer from bruxism are not even aware of the exact problem. You might have dental problems, an aching jaw, or even a cracked tooth and not realize that the problem is that you have been grinding your teeth. While some teeth grinding and clenching is caused by stress or anxiety, most teeth grinding occurs at night. If left untreated, the results can be quite problematic including:
- Headaches
- Jaw Pain
- Loose Teeth
- Fractured teeth
- Worn teeth
- Hearing loss
- TMJ/TMD
- Many people with bruxism use a night guard while they are sleeping. This is a custom-fitted appliance that will help protect your teeth from the grinding.
temporomandibular joint disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorders occur when the temporomandibular joint of the jaw, the place where your lower jaw is hinged to your skull, becomes injured or inflamed. This condition may be referred to as either TMJ or TMD. TMJ/TMD can have multiple causes. Some of the most common are:
1. Bruxism
2. Dislocation of the cushioning disc within the joint
3. Arthritis
4. Injury to the jaw, including blunt trauma and whiplash
This condition is quite painful. If you are suffering from any of the following symptoms, you should be evaluated for TMJ/TMD:
1. Pain in your face, jaw, neck, or shoulders, especially when chewing, speaking, or yawning
2. Clicking and popping in the jaw joint
3. Locking of the jaw
4. Swelling
5. Fatigue in the jaw
6. Difficulty chewing
Like bruxism, night guards are helpful for people with TMJ/TMD. The guard keeps your teeth slightly separated and prevents them from clenching, which can exacerbate the condition. If your condition is more severe, you may require a splint to hold your jaw in place so that the joint can heal. As the name implies, night guards are worn while you are sleeping. Splints are worn all day. Just like any other protective sports gear, a mouthguard is essential for protecting your teeth from injuries in and around the mouth. It is often overlooked, but mouthguards are available for athletes of all ages.
importance of mouthguards
A mouthguard acts as a shield not only for your teeth but also for the soft tissues and gums. It doesn't matter if the sport involves rough contact, light contact, or no contact at all; there is always the potential for athletes to be at risk for broken teeth and/or oral injuries. According to the American Dental Association, athletes who play sports with a mouthguard are 60 times less likely to damage their teeth than those who choose to play without one. If you think you or your child might be a candidate for a Sports Guard, visit with us at your next visit about protecting your teeth while you play sports.
