TMJ & TMD Treatment
TMJ or TMD (temporomandibular joint & temporomandibular disorder) is a common diagnosis for people who experience jaw discomfort. Bruxism is a term that relates to diagnosing people who clench or grind their teeth. Some people clench and grind while driving or working at a computer and others don’t realize that they are clenching and grinding in their sleep.
Did you know that when you are in a deep sleep you can clench 4x as hard as when you are in a conscious state? Many of our patients will wear a night guard or as some patients say “mouth guard” to sleep at night, which helps protect their jaw joint from long term irreparable damage and fillings, crowns and enamel from wear and tear. A night guard also helps to keep the jaw and TMJ in a more favorable position.
Symptoms Of TMJ & TMD
Our Parker CO Dentist encourages patients who are struggling with their jaws to ask themselves the below questions.
- Have you ever woke up and noticed that you have jaw jain?
- Are your jaw muscles sore or tender?
- Has your spouse ever said that they hear you grind your teeth at night?
- Does your jaw click or pop?
- Does it hurt to open your mouth?
- Do you have frequent or regular headaches?
- Do you have any teeth that are sensitive, sore, aching, uncomfortable?
- Are you unable to open your jaw all the way?
- Have you ever had jaw surgery?
- Have you ever had a blow or high impact trauma to your jaw?