Do You Grind Your Teeth?
Do you find yourself grinding your teeth when you’re stressed or anxious? Have you noticed pain in your jaw or unnatural clicking sounds when you move it? Some of our patients don’t even realize this is an issue until we notice that their teeth have unnaturally been worn down. Coupled with symptoms such as jaw pain and headaches, it might mean you have a common problem that affects an estimated 10 million Americans. Read more to find out about this jaw disorder.
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a condition that affects the joint that connects your lower jaw to your head. It does important jobs such as helping you bite and chew food, and open and close your mouth. When individuals experience stress or anxiety or have a misaligned jaw, they tend to clench or grind their teeth or, in the case of a misaligned bite, unevenly chew food which causes stress on this joint. Unfortunately, this can cause mild discomfort or in some individuals, pain so severe it causes them to miss out on activities.
If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it could be a sign of TMD:
- Pain in the jaw, ears, neck and head
- Popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing the jaw
- Painful chewing
- Teeth that are worn down, chipped or cracked
The good news is that we can treat TMD and give you relief from these annoying symptoms. We offer a variety of options that take your lifestyle into account to find the root cause of the problem.
Many people with TMD don’t even know they have an issue, though. That’s why it’s important to seek professional help if you do have these symptoms — letting them go untreated can put your jaw in danger of further damage that can be more complex to treat.
We are here to help you achieve health and well-being. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your oral health. We look forward to seeing you at your next visit.
