If you’re suffering from sleepless nights and painful days full of toothaches and facial tension, you could be one of millions of Americans dealing with jaw issues. At Bethesda Dental Associates, we treat the common sources of jaw pain—TMJ disorder and bruxism—to get you back to dreaming peacefully and living fully.
Did you know that your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are among the most complex in your body? Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that your jaw joints and muscles have to be aligned to work correctly. TMJ disorder (TMD) is caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Put simply, if you have TMD, your jaw joints and muscles aren’t doing their job right.
You could develop TMJ pain from trauma, arthritis, certain diseases, stress, or simple genetics. Common symptoms include:
You might hear this term come up in discussions of your TMJ pain. That’s because bruxism and TMD can go hand in hand. Bruxism is the technical term for teeth grinding and jaw clenching. You typically do this in your sleep, which can make it hard to consciously battle the problem.
Bruxism can inflame or even cause TMJ disorder, as well as lead to its own problems. The two conditions share some symptoms, like tooth and jaw pain and muscle tension. Our Bethesda dentists might recognize bruxism from its signs and consequences:
How do you stop grinding your teeth? How do you cure TMJ? Each case is different, so Bethesda Dental Associates will create a specific plan for you. However, one of the best treatments is a sleep mouth guard. Dental night guards are made of body-safe materials, molded to your teeth, force your jaw to relax, and provide a protective shield against bruxism.
We can also treat the damage done by these conditions. From dental fillings to cracked tooth repair, we restore your smile so it’s like new. Then, armed with a night guard, you can go to sleep every evening knowing your teeth and jaw are protected.
At Bethesda Dental Associates, we don’t gild the lily when it comes to treatments that work. Night guards have long been one of the best ways to alleviate TMJ symptoms. However, we do make sure your experience at our office is enriched and made more convenient by our services and accommodations. Make an appointment today to get effective care with extra perks.
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