Do you wake up with headaches, neck, or shoulder pain? Are your teeth sensitive? Are they starting to crack or look worn down? You may have problems with TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) or bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching).
TMJ disorders affect millions and are much more commonly diagnosed in women, due to hormone fluctuations. These disorders can be painful and, in some cases, may seriously affect your quality of life. Often, TMJ disorders prevent patients from opening their mouths fully, making dental exams and oral hygiene difficult. Such severe symptoms put your oral health at risk.
At Casuarina Dental, our dentists can diagnose TMJ disorders and bruxism and help to design a treatment plan. To find out more, book a consultation at our clinic in Casuarina.
Jaw problems can sometimes be caused by accident, trauma or sporting injuries. It is also common for the disorder to have no definite cause.
How your teeth come together (your occlusion) can play a role in TMJ and may cause dysfunction in your jaw joints. Because more women are diagnosed with TMJ disorders, scientists are considering a link between TMJ disorders and hormones.
How TMJ is treated depends on the type and severity of your symptoms. Treatment can include splint therapy, surgery, neuromuscular treatments, deprogrammers or muscle relaxers.
Most cases of TMJ can be treated without surgery, though it may be necessary for severe cases.
Bruxism is excessively clenching or grinding your teeth. While bruxism is very common, symptoms can be severe and include tooth sensitivity, worn teeth and headaches.
Clenching and grinding occur more commonly while you are sleeping but can also occur during the day. Treatment for bruxism usually involves creating a night guard or splint to protect your teeth from damage. In some cases, Botox injections into the muscles of mastication can be used to help treat this condition.
If you experience the warning signs of a TMJ disorder or bruxism, call our clinic in Casuarina to arrange an evaluation. We will be able to recommend treatment to keep you comfortable and protect your teeth from damage.
While teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is very common among adults, it can cause serious damage to your teeth and jaw joints. If you wake up with sore muscles or you have noticed that you clench or grind your teeth, we can make a night guard to help protect your teeth.
Yes, TMJ is quite common. In fact, it’s estimated that about one in ten people have some form of TMJ. However, not everyone who has TMJ will experience symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptom is joint pain. Other symptoms can include fatigue, stiffness, and swelling.
There is no sure cure for bruxism, but there are treatments that can help reduce the symptoms. These include mouth guards, medications, behavioural therapies and facial injections.
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