Reducing Teeth Grinding Can Relieve Tension in Your Jaw

A TMJ disorder involves your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which connect your jaw to your skull. If the joints become dislocated, inflamed, or otherwise stressed, it can cause jaw pain and other symptoms like chronic headaches. While no one knows exactly what causes TMJ disorders, teeth grinding appears to be a contributing factor.

If grinding is bad enough, it can damage not only your teeth but also your gums and underlying bone structure. Because of this, our team looks for signs of grinding during every dental exam. If we finds any, we’ll likely recommend a mouthguard. It works by protecting your teeth and keeping pressure off your jaw. If your teeth are already damaged, we can repair them with restorative dentistry.

Prevent Chronic Problems by Treating Your TMD Symptoms

How do you know if you have TMJ disorder? Symptoms include:

  • Facial swelling
  • Frequent headaches
  • Difficulty opening your jaw
  • Clicking when you open or close your jaw
  • Jaw pain
  • Locked jaw
  • Grinding or clenching your teeth

To find out more about Decatur TMJ treatment, teeth grinding, and jaw pain solutions, call 256-274-8680 today to schedule an appointment. You can also schedule online. Our friendly dental office is a short drive from Wilson-Morgan Park.