TMJ disorder is an oral health concern that arises when your jaw joints become strained. The disorder not only means discomfort, such as headaches and jaw pain, but impacts on how you open and close your mouth. But help for your TMD symptoms is available! Your Bryn Mawr, PA, dentist can treat TMJ disorder with a comfortable and minimally-invasive oral appliance.
The Causes and Warning Signs of TMD
The disorder occurs when the balance of your bite is upset, which strains your jaw joints. These factors could include tooth loss, malocclusion brought on by dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, or even issues with the growth of the smile or the eruption of your teeth. Warning signs could include a popping or crackling sensation in your jaw, headaches, jaw and facial pain, and aches in the neck and shoulders. Left untreated, this could increase the risk of bruxism (teeth grinding), which means toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and damaged teeth. Don’t ignore these potential symptoms, talk to our team right away about treating TMJ disorder.
Easing Your Discomfort
After you schedule an appointment with us, you can take actions to alleviate your discomfort until you can see us. For example, you can place a warm washcloth to the side of the face to ease strain. Try to avoid very chewy or hard foods and snacks, as this could exacerbate symptoms. Cut back on caffeinated beverages too. As needed, you can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help ease the discomfort until we can begin treatment.
Noninvasive Treatment
For some, our team can treat the issue by replacing missing teeth with a prosthetic, correcting misalignment with orthodontics, or even improving overall bite balance with custom crowns or dental bonding/contouring. But the most common solution is an oral appliance. The device will look similar to a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep. We custom fit it based on detailed digital images and measurements taken of your smile. When worn, the device repositions your smile to ease strain. If you suffer from bruxism, this puts a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage to the teeth.
If you have any questions about our noninvasive and comfortable approach to treating TMJ disorder and bruxism, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy a comfortable and healthy smile.
Speak With Your Bryn Mawr, PA Dentist About TMJ Treatment
We would like to help you avoid the discomfort and complications of TMJ disorder! For more information on easing your jaw joint strain, call our Bryn Mawr, PA, dental office at (610) 234-3881. You don’t have to live with discomfort and poor oral health, our team is ready to help you smile with confidence and avoid these complications!
