You’ve had it with your jaw pain – as if the clicking and popping weren’t enough, your TMJ started to act up during a meeting at work and your jaw got locked in an open position, causing extreme pain and embarrassing you in the process. You want to address this problem as soon as you can, and with treatment from your dentist in Wharton, you can get the relief you need. In this post, the team at David Tripulas DDS explains how they can help with jaw pain from grinding your teeth and TMJ dysfunction.
Why Does My Jaw Hurt So Much?
Dr. Tripulas explains that there are two common reasons for jaw pain and discomfort:
- TMJ Dysfunction – When you have problems with the hinge joint that connects your jaw to your skull (the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)) you have TMJD. Many issues can cause this problem, and regardless of the reason, the pain can be intense.
- Grinding – Also known as bruxism, grinding your teeth – either during the day or at night – makes pain in your jaw and face almost inevitable. This problem also wreaks havoc on your teeth – putting them under constant strain can increase your chances for broken or cracked teeth, as well as worn-down enamel.
What Are The Symptoms Of TMJD?
Take a look at the list of symptoms below to see if you might be suffering from TMJD:
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Facial pain or earaches
- Pain in the neck and shoulders
- Pain when chewing, speaking, or opening your mouth wide
- Your jaw becomes stuck in an open or closed-mouth position
- Clicking, popping, grating sounds when you speak, chew, or open/close your mouth
- Tiredness or fatigue in your facial muscles
- Issues with chewing
- A change in your bite that hurts
- Swelling on the side of your face
What Are The Symptoms Of Bruxism?
Since many people are unaware that they grind their teeth while they sleep, you’ll need to pay attention to the other symptoms to see if this could be your underlying issue:
- Teeth that appear flattened
- Tired or tight jaw muscles
- Locked jaw, occurring in either the open or closed position
- Damage to your cheek tissue on the inside of your mouth
- Sleep problems
- Worn-out tooth enamel
- Short teeth or teeth that don’t make proper contact with their opposing partners, especially in the back
- Fractured, chipped, or loose teeth
- Broken fillings or other compromised dental restorations
How Can You Help With My TMJD & Bruxism?
At our practice, we have the dental expertise you need to address your jaw issues and end your discomfort. We can help by:
- Accurately diagnosing the problem causing your pain.
- Prescribing individualized nightguards to protect teeth from grinding.
- Using custom oral appliances to relax your facial muscles and gently bring your jaw into proper alignment.
- Addressing underlying stress and help you get the help you deserve for your anxiety.
Now that you know how we can help bring your healthy jaw back, schedule your appointment with David Tripulas DDS – we’ll take the pain away!