Watch Out For These Symptoms

Do you find that you experience frequent issues with tooth sensitivity? Do you frequently wake with unexplained headaches? Or have you recently had a tooth suddenly crack? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a common condition that many patients are unaware they are experiencing. Continue reading to learn more about this common condition and see if your symptoms can be explained.

What is Bruxism?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as frequent headaches, jaw discomfort and tooth sensitivity, you may be suffering from a common condition known as bruxism. Bruxism is a condition where people grind and clash their teeth. Many patients are unaware that they suffer from this as it typically occurs at night during times of sleep. When left untreated, it can cause the tooth enamel to experience premature wear, causing tooth sensitivity and will eventually cause the tooth to crack.

TMD

Bruxism is also one of the main symptoms of TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition affects the temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge that connects the jaw to the skull. This condition develops when the jaw joint becomes stressed, injured or misaligned. You may be suffering from bruxism or TMD if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Clicking or popping sound when you open and close your mouth
• Discomfort in the jaw or facial muscles
• Muscle spasms in the jaw area
• A change in your bite or tooth alignment
• A jaw that is stuck or locks in place
• Inability to open your mouth wide to speak, yawn, or chew

When patients are experiencing many of the symptoms mentioned above, they aren’t sure who to turn to because so many areas of your head and face are involved. Our office can help treat this issue. During your regular exams, we will look for signs of teeth grinding and wear on your teeth. If you are concerned that you may be suffering from bruxism or TMD, call our office located in Fort Lee, NJ to schedule an appointment. We want to help you get relief from your symptoms.