When you have issues like TMJ disorder or bruxism (chronic teeth grinding), you could experience a host of uncomfortable symptoms, and risk damaging your smile. To bring relief from chronic pain, your Houston, TX, dentist will treat these concerns, and often with a noninvasive and custom-fitted oral appliance.

TMJ Disorder

When the jaw joints connecting your jaw and skull become strained, the stress could alter bite balance and cause discomfort, and even trouble fully opening and closing your mouth. Causes could include misalignment, missing teeth, injury to your face or jaw, or even untreated teeth grinding. Symptoms include a popping or clicking sensation in your jaw, aches in the face an jaw, neck and shoulder pain, and headaches and migraines. Over time, the disorder will complicate how well you can open and close your mouth, and cause discomfort when you eat.

Bruxism

With bruxism, you grind and clench your teeth nightly, the pressure wearing down enamel and even cracking or chipping the teeth. The damage exposes the inner tooth structure to bacteria, allowing complications like cavities and infection to develop. Causes include issues that impact bite balance, such as untreated TMJ disorder, tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, and misalignment. People may also experience headaches, migraines, jaw pain, and aches in the neck and face. Tooth sensitivity and toothaches could develop too.

Easing Discomfort

You can ease discomfort with an over-the-counter pain reliever, or a warm washcloth to the side of your face. Try to avoid hard or chewy foods, as consuming them could exacerbate symptoms. We also suggest reducing stress in your daily life as well.

Creating an Oral Appliance

Often, these two very different oral health issues are related, one causing the other to develop. Fortunately, an oral appliance could bring relief for both. We take detailed digital images and measurements of your smile, suing them to create an oral appliance that fits comfortably and is worn at night. The custom-fitted device actually repositions the jaw to ease strain and stress, and also provides a barrier between the upper and lower sets of teeth to prevent further damage. If you have chipped or cracked teeth, then bonding could repair your smile in only one visit.

If you have any questions about how we treat these disorders, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, then contact our team today to learn more.

TALK TO MMC DENTAL ABOUT PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY

We want to help you enjoy strong and healthy smiles, and avoid headaches and jaw pain, with our general and preventive treatment options. For more information on how we improve bite balance and relieve jaw joint strain with a cozy oral appliance, then contact your Houston, TX, dentist, Dr. Chan, by calling 713-926-8896.