TMJ Treatment / Teeth Grinding

Mystified By Your Jaw Pain? TMJ Disorder May Be to Blame

Do you have pain in your jaw and have tried every remedy to no avail? Have you heard strange sounds coming from your jaw, or do you grind your teeth at night? Your pain and jaw problems may be related to a TMJ disorder. Dr. Betts in Decatur, AL has some good news for you: he can provide TMJ treatment to help you get rid of your pain.

What does TMJ stand for?

Read Transcript

Grinding and clenching teeth is rampant in our society — I guess because of the stressful lives that we lead. We see quite a few people who have these destructive habits with their jaws and their teeth. We treat a lot with night guards, some measures to help them relax the muscles of their jaws, and provide comfort with their bite.

The result, sometimes, of clenching/grinding teeth is actually the breakdown of the dentition. The breakdown of the teeth: cracking, chipping, that sort of thing. It can even make the supporting structures of the teeth break down. The gums. The bone. It's very important to get this under control and that is our goal for you.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. It is the joint that attaches your jawbone to the rest of your skull. The TMJ muscles and controlling tissues extend all the way up the side of your face into your temple region. Your TMJ is at the center of everything you do with your jaw. Whether you are smiling, talking, or eating, your TMJ is at work. That said, your TMJ can have a drastic effect on your well-being.

What is TMJ/TMD?

A problem with your temporomandibular joint is correctly called a TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. Many people simply refer to these problems as TMJ, which is actually just an acronym for the name of the joint. This joint can be the source of all kinds of painful symptoms. Dr. Betts will help identify what is wrong with your TMJ and what he can do to help you gain relief. Some of the symptoms of TMD are:

• Swelling on the affected side of your face
• Pain when using your jaw (eating, talking, etc.)
• Clicking sound when you open and close your jaw
• Locking of your jaw either open or closed

How can a mouthguard help me?

Although TMJ disorders are not uncommon, modern dentistry has not definitively identified what actually causes them. However, Dr. Betts in Decatur, AL and the rest of the dental community have many theories about the causes. One thing that has shown to contribute to development of a TMD is grinding or clenching your teeth, also known as bruxism. This puts a lot of undue strain on the joint and can cause issues that lead to TMJ disorder. A mouthguard helps you by acting as a physical barrier between your upper and lower jaw. It helps to evenly spread and decrease the amount of pressure put on the joint. The mouthguard also helps protect your teeth from damage. Grinding your teeth can lead to chipped or worn enamel and even cracked teeth.

How else can Dr. Betts help eliminate my TMJ pain?

Dr. Betts, as part of TMJ treatment, can help you by educating you about different behaviors you may be doing that are contributing to your condition, such as grinding your teeth. The custom mouthguard can help to alleviate the pain, and the knowledge will help to change your behavior and get you started with tmj treatment.

Call Dr. Betts today at 256-274-8680 to schedule a consultation. If you have any questions about TMJ pain, TMD, our TMJ Treament in Decatur, AL dental office or if you would like to schedule your appointment online, just use our online form, and one of us will be in touch shortly.