Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome is a condition that affects the jaw, jaw joint, and surrounding facial muscles. TMJ causes pain in the face and jaw that can radiate throughout the neck, head, and shoulders. TMJ can also cause jaw locking and popping.
Many people experience pain in and around their jaw for different reasons. Pain can be sharp, dull, aching, throbbing, or constant. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by a clicking noise when opening and closing your mouth. Other symptoms include headaches, difficulty chewing, and ringing in your ears. The pain may be isolated to the jaw or may radiate to your neck and shoulders.
If you think that you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, please contact your dentist as soon as possible. He or she will be able to examine your jaw and mouth and diagnose you accordingly. Once diagnosed, your dentist can recommend treatment that is best for you and get you on the road to recovery!
A night guard is a mouthpiece worn while you sleep to prevent teeth from grinding and clenching. The mouthguard is custom-fitted to your mouth for a comfortable, secure fit when you sleep. When we custom-make a night guard for you, we design it to hug the curvatures of your top and bottom jaws, preventing your upper and lower molars from touching. This stops you from grinding your teeth while sleeping, which can eventually lead to further joint damage, pain, and early tooth wear.
Custom-made night guards aren’t just for people with TMJ disorders. They’re also recommended for individuals who play contact sports or grind their teeth at night due to stress. Without a custom-fit night guard, you could risk chipping or even cracking your teeth due to muscle strain. Our custom-made night guards are an affordable way to protect your teeth while also improving your smile’s functionality.
In addition to stopping teeth grinding, our night guards can also protect your teeth against bruxism, which is a condition in which you clench your jaw or grind your teeth involuntarily during the day. Bruxism can cause headaches and tension in the muscles in your face, neck, and shoulders. By wearing a night guard, you can prevent your muscles from straining, which is especially beneficial if you suffer from chronic headaches caused by teeth grinding.
A night guard for TMJ disorder is worn while sleeping, and it’s designed to keep the upper and lower teeth from touching. This helps to reduce tenderness in the jaw muscles. Some forms of this oral appliance can also correct bite problems, which relieves tension throughout the face.
For patients who grind their teeth when they sleep, wearing a mouth guard at night can help protect their teeth from damage. The worn-out enamel and damaged tissues caused by grinding are painful and costly to repair. A night guard protects your teeth from the force produced by bruxism while you sleep.
Additionally, wearing a mouth guard can prevent tooth wear, which is also known as excessive tooth abrasion. This is common with nighttime tooth grinders who clench and gnash their teeth while they sleep. If left untreated, tooth wear can lead to tooth loss. Wearing a mouth guard protects your teeth and prevents the damage caused by excessive tooth abrasion.
Since snoring is often the result of obstructed airflow through the nasal passages, wearing a custom-fit snore guard can ensure that your airway stays open throughout the night. Sleep apnea is a chronic condition that can make it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Snoring is a sign of sleep apnea, but the only way to know for sure is to see your doctor for a diagnosis.
By treating your TMJ disorder with a custom-fit mouth guard, you can improve your quality of life by getting a restful night’s sleep. Schedule an appointment with your dentist to learn more about the causes of TMJ disorder and how a custom-fit mouth guard can benefit you.
For the best dental care, visit Charles Street Dental at 121 Charles St S Boston, MA, or call 617-226-2822 to schedule an appointment.
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