TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders can cause people inexplicable amounts of pain and seemingly come out of nowhere. The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is the junction between your jaw and your head that connects them. A variety of different problems can cause pain in this joint. There are also several ways that TMJ disorders can be treated. Your dentist or a TMJ specialist are the best people to speak to if you suspect that you have a TMJ disorder. Continue reading to learn more about TMJ, the symptoms and causes of TMJ disorders, and the treatment options that are available.

Symptoms Of TMJ Disorders

The temporomandibular joint is basically the hinge for your face that allows you to open your mouth, speak, laugh, yawn, and chew. If something happens to this hinge, then there can be several symptoms that an individual can experience. Common symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:

• Inflammation in your jaw
• Tenderness or pain in your temporomandibular joint
• Pain in or around your ear
• Headaches
• A clicking sensation in your temporomandibular joint
• Locking of your jaw
• Inability to open or close your mouth
• Facial aches

There can be mild and severe cases of TMJ dysfunction that must be treated in different ways. Make sure to speak with your dentist and/or doctor if your symptoms become difficult to manage, worsen, or if you begin to experience new symptoms.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

It is frequently difficult to ascertain the exact cause of an individual’s TMJ disorder. But there are several common causes that could be to blame. A blow to the jaw or the side of the head can cause swelling in the TMJ and/or damage the joint. Cartilage and disks are located in the temporomandibular joint which allows you to smoothly and easily use your jaw. If these parts are damaged by arthritis, bruxism, or stress, then you could experience a lot of pain. Lastly, some people are simply more predisposed to get TMJ disorders than others due to genetics.

Treatment Options

There are many different treatments available for TMJ issues. Many times, discomfort caused by TMJ will go away on its own. Typically symptoms will decrease within three weeks. Dentists will typically recommend taking pain medication and using ice packs to relieve inflammation. Some joint exercises might also be helpful. However, if TMJ problems were caused by arthritis or bruxism, pain can stick around for much longer than a few weeks. That is when physical therapy and jaw exercises become vital. You may also want to invest in a mouth guard to use at night that will keep your teeth from grinding together during the night and help your mouth relax.

Do You Need A New Dentist?

If you have been experiencing problems with your temporomandibular joint, then it is important to see a dentist as soon as possible. Our dentist, Eric Felt, is a professional and experienced dentist who can help you learn more about your TMJ and can suggest potential routes you could take to help improve your condition. We offer comprehensive dental care options here at Eric Felt Dental and our team is eager to help you with any dental problem that you may have. Feel free to reach out to us today for more information.

To learn more about the temporomandibular joint and TMJ disorders, feel free to read here.

Teeth grinding or bruxism is a problem where people grind their top and bottom teeth together which can cause jaw pain, tooth decay, and other oral problems. While it usually occurs while you sleep, bruxism can also take place during the day. If you are looking for ways to stop teeth grinding in yourself or your child there are some tips you can try to prevent the negative effects. 

Complications From Teeth Grinding

While grinding your teeth occasionally may not lead to you needing surgery or a mouth guard, if you consistently grind your teeth you may experience problems in your jaw, mouth, neck, and painful teeth. Some negative effects include:

• Wearing down of teeth
• Cavities
• Fractured teeth
• Limited chewing
• Facial muscle enlargement
• TMJ
• Lock Jaw

Exercises

Utilizing mouth exercises can help limit inflammation and tension while helping your brain remember a more relaxed position for your mouth. One exercise you can try is opening your mouth wide and touching your tongue to your front teeth. This can help release tension in your jaw. Another easy one is to mouth or says the letter N to prevent your teeth from touching while also relaxing your jaw muscles.

Getting in other forms of exercise helps release endorphins into your brain and body which will help reduce stress. Exercise can also help you relax which can help stop clenching in your jaw. 

Try A Mouth Guard

If you experience teeth grinding in your sleep wearing a mouth guard can help. Some dental offices may offer occlusal splits that will cushion teeth while sleeping and hold them in place. For those with a severe problem, custom mouth guards may be created and can reduce the strain on your jaw. Having one custom made will be more comfortable than a store bought one because they fit your teeth better and are made of softer materials. 

Reduce Stress Before Bed

Clenching your jaw or teeth grinding is usually a nervous habit or a way to cope with stress. If your bruxism acts up at night, try limiting stress before bed. Take a break from your phone, take a bath, finish your chores during the day, or head to bed early to get enough sleep. Finding any activity that limits stress before bedtime can make you feel relaxed and stop your teeth from wanting to grind while you sleep. 

Avoid Chewy Foods

When your teeth grinding has flared up, avoid chewing gum, ice, or eating foods like taffy. Doing these actions will cause your jaw to become more worn and tired and can make going throughout your day painful. Repetitive motions can cause your jaw to lock up or make teeth grinding worse. So avoid chewing on your pen cap, eating ice, or chewing popcorn until you get your bruxism under control. 

Be Aware Of Clenching During The Day

Teeth grinding mostly occurs at night but there are some who find themselves grinding their teeth during the day. If you notice that your jaw is tight or you are feeling pain in your teeth or around your mouth and face, you may be clenching your teeth or jaw while doing other activities. When you become more aware of what your jaw is doing during the day, it may help you limit your grinding at night. 

Eric Felt D.D.S. 

Here at Eric Felt D.D.S. we help you feel comfortable and seen during each visit. Our practice wants to help Cottonwood Heights and surrounding residents have the best oral health possible. With regular dental checkups and advice from your dentist, you will be able to see more positive results and stop teeth grinding. Offering fillings, cosmetic dentistry, cleanings, sports mouth guards, and more, we can help patients of all ages feel comfortable here at Eric Felt dental. Contact our office to improve your oral health today!