Guard Against Bruxism and TMJ Disorder
You may not always notice the threats to your smile, or you may fail to realize how serious they may be. For example, if you grind your teeth constantly, then you could be significantly wearing them down and making them weaker. If you experience discomfort in your jaw joints, such as popping and clicking sensations, then it could indicate a serious dysfunction known as TMJ disorder. A custom-designed nightguard can often help patients protect their teeth from grinding and/or alleviate damaging pressure on their jaw joints, alleviating discomfort and improving their bite function.
Stopping Your Teeth from Grinding
Bruxism is the official term for chronic teeth-grinding, which often occurs at night while you sleep and cannot stop it. You also can’t control the pressure that your jaw exerts, which can be intense enough to gradually wear down and damage your tooth structure. If we notice signs of tooth wear and damage, or other signs of bruxism, then we can custom-design a nightguard to protect your teeth while you sleep and avoid the consequences of unchecked teeth-grinding. If your teeth require restoration, then we may perform the repair first and design your nightguard to accommodate it.
Helping TMJs Heal and Function
The joints located on either side of your jaw control its movement, and are known as temporomandibular joints (TMJs). For your bite to function properly, both joints must move at the same time and to the same degree every time you bite, chew, and speak. TMJ disorder can involve damage, misalignment, inflammation, or many other forms of dysfunction that inhibit the proper movement of one or both TMJs. The resulting discomfort can include chronic jaw pain, headaches and migraines, earaches, sore facial and jaw muscles, and more. With a custom nightguard, we can help your jaw and TMJs rest more comfortably, reducing inflammation and helping to restore their proper balance and function.
Find Out if You Can Benefit from a Nightguard
Teeth-grinding and TMJ disorder can lead to a host of different symptoms, aches, and pains. To find out if you can benefit from a bruxism or TMJ nightguard, schedule an appointment with us by calling MMC Dental in Houston, TX, today at 713-926-8896.
