As a Midland dentist, Dr. Ranny Sidhu sees patients who are suffering from jaw pain, or pain and tenderness around the face, and temple. Often, it’s the result of a disorder of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This condition can be caused by an injury, misalignment of the teeth or jaw, teeth grinding (bruxism) or jaw clenching, poor posture, and even stress. The good news is that you can seek treatment for both teeth grinding and a TMJ Disorder at Midland Bay Dental, your Midland dentist’s office, Midland Bay Dental.

So, let’s talk about both conditions, and what you can do to help alleviate the pain of a TMJ Disorder (TMD) or teeth grinding.

Do You Have a TMJ Disorder (TMD?)

Your temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull. It is one of the most complex joints in your body – and you have one on each side of your head. Your TMJ helps you chew, swallow, speak and yawn. So, as you can see, the TMJ is pretty important.

Ask your Midland dentist about TMJ if you see any signs of the following:

• Pain and tenderness around the ear, jaw, face, or temple.
• A clicking, crunching, or grinding noise when you chew or yawn.
• Neck pain or headaches.
• Teeth grinding – you may begin grinding your teeth as a result of a TMD or grinding your teeth may make symptoms worse.

A TMJ Disorder can be caused by a combination of factors such as jaw injuries, joint disease, or arthritis. Stress is also a possible factor. In some cases, a TMD may be caused by dentures that are not fitted correctly or even biting your fingernails or a pen/pencil.

The good news is that TMDs often get better on their own. You can treat sore jaw muscles with a cold or warm pad on your jaw, and by avoiding eating hard foods, or chewy foods like gum. Give your jaw muscles a rest and they may bounce back on your own.

How your Midland Dentist can help with a TMD

If your jaw pain does not subside on its own, talk to your Midland dentist. They can examine your teeth and jaw and provide a plan to treat your TMD. Treatments range from visiting a physiotherapist or chiropractor to help relax your jaw muscles to taking medication to reduce the pain and inflammation.

Depending on the cause of the TMD, your Midland dentist may also need to refer you to an orthodontist, periodontist, or oral surgeon for additional treatment.

Do You Grind Your Teeth?

Grinding your teeth (Bruxism) can be associated with a TMD, but can also be a completely separate condition. It is possible that you grind your teeth frequently and aren’t even aware of it. Teeth grinding often happens when you are asleep, and you may not feel much pain or discomfort at first.

But grinding your teeth regularly can result in cracked or broken teeth, broken fillings or crowns, tooth sensitivity, jaw pain, headaches, and earaches.

Talk to your Midland dentist if you experience:

• Aching teeth or jaws, facial pain, or stiffness in your temples, especially in the morning.
• Frequent headaches or earaches.
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Fractured or loose teeth.

You can reduce teeth grinding by looking for ways to reduce stress, relaxing and unwinding before you go to bed, and limiting caffeine and alcohol. If you notice you are clenching your jaws, try to relax them when you notice it.

How Your Midland Dentist Can Help with Teeth Grinding

Your dentist can diagnose Bruxism, and help you find treatment, including fixing misaligned, missing, or crooked teeth, or by providing you with exercises to help relax your jaws.

Do you Need an Occlusal Splint (Night Guard) for TMJ and Teeth Grinding?

Your Midland dentist may also recommend an occlusal splint, also called a night guard, to prevent you from grinding your teeth while sleeping.

An occlusal splint (night guard) is worn over one set of teeth (your upper OR lower teeth), preventing your teeth from grinding together as you sleep.

Looking for a Midland Dentist to Discuss your TMJ Disorder or Teeth Grinding?

At Midland Bay Dental, we do more than just keep your teeth and gums healthy. We are here to help if you have jaw pain, want to discuss options for tooth replacement, need a custom mouth guard or night guard, need dentures, or need a cavity filled. Contact us today to make an appointment for your teeth. We’re accepting new patients!

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Resources:
Canadian Dental Association – TMD (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)
Canadian Dental Association – Jaw Clenching and Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)