Teeth grinding and TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) are related to each other, and that too quite closely. If the bruxism is mild, you do not need any such intervention. However, if the bruxism takes the form of something severe, it can have a negative impact on your health. Not only your teeth but also your jaw can get affected.
In Houston, residents can check with their dentist to treat such conditions. Bruxism is also called teeth grinding, and it is connected to TMJ. When your jaw joint gets misaligned, that is when you get TMJ. It is seen that people usually have both conditions together.
Those who have a habit of grinding their teeth at nighttime are at greater risk of developing TMJ. It is essential that you take basic precautions to avoid any such problems from taking place. You can get in touch with a dentist in Houston and discuss further treatment plans.
Are bruxism and TMJ the same?
As discussed above, they are related and connected to each other, but they are not the same. TMJ is basically something that helps you open or close your jaw. On the other hand, teeth grinding is when you clean your teeth together, which increases the chances of you getting TMJ disorder.
If you are experiencing pain or tenderness in your mouth, do not just overlook it; it can be a sign of TMJ. Bruxism is something where you might clench your jaw or teeth unconsciously. If you are tense, angry, or frustrated from the inside, you might do this. In some cases, you might clench your jaw when you are profoundly feeling something.
What are the risk factors that can trigger bruxism?
There are various risk factors that may cause bruxism, some of them are listed below:
- In the case of awake bruxism, stress can trigger it.
- If people in your family have a history of bruxism, then you can get the condition, too.
- There are some medical disorders as well that can trigger it, such as dementia, epilepsy, etc.
Furthermore, if someone has misaligned teeth, then they may clench their jaw, too. You may not notice it until the symptoms are apparent and you’re feeling them.
Can bruxism lead to TMJ?
Since teeth grinding is something that you do unconsciously, you may keep on doing it, and it can potentially lead to TMJ dysfunction. Your job may get misaligned because of constant or continuous teeth grinding, which can pose problems for your Temporomandibular Joint.
Furthermore, you may experience discomfort and pain on a regular basis. While it is not necessary that people who grind their teeth are going to develop TMJ disorder, the chances get higher.
Trending can also lead to problems with your restorations, and you may get a misaligned bite as a result. Bruxism and TMJ disorder have many common symptoms, some of which are listed here:
- Getting headaches on a regular basis
- Your face or jaw may get tender, and pain can be present, too.
- The area around your ear can start to hurt, too.
How can you prevent TMJ disorder?
By managing the symptoms of bruxism, you can manage TMJ as well. Here are some of the things that you can do to prevent TMJ:
- You can make use of a night guard at nighttime if you have a habit of grinding teeth. Dentists can provide custom-made night guards.
- The damage and pain caused due to teeth grinding can be managed by wearing a bite splint.
- If it is the stress causing or triggering bruxism, then you need to manage these emotions.
- You can also practice jaw relaxing exercises throughout to get relief.
Battling TMJ? Know your options!
It can be painful to deal with TMJ, but consulting a dentist can be of significant help. They can tell you what can work for you and how you can manage the symptoms. They can accordingly curate a treatment plan specially designed to meet your needs.