When it comes to your oral health, you may be mostly concerned about keeping your teeth cavity-free and maintaining healthy gums. While these are great preventive measures, other problems can harm your smile. Issues such as TMJ disorder and bruxism can harm your joints and wear down your enamel. Today, your Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, is here to tell you how you can treat these disorders.
What Is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular disorder can cause pain in your jaw and around your face. There are several causes that can lead to this problem, including arthritis, injury to your jaw, and grinding your teeth. Since these joints allow you to eat and speak, having difficulties with them can cause several problems. You may have TMD if you notice that you have frequent headaches, jaw pain, or difficulty chewing. These problems are more than just a nuisance – they can harm your oral health as well. This joint disorder can cause you to exert unnecessary amounts of pressure when you chew or speak, which can be uncomfortable.
How Does Bruxism Harm Your Teeth?
Bruxism, also known as chronic tooth grinding, is often associated with TMJ problems. Unfortunately, this problem often happens when you are sleeping, so you may not be aware of it. If you often wake up feeling toothaches or headaches, have sensitivity when eating, or feel poorly rested, you may be grinding your teeth as you sleep.
This disorder is commonly found in people who have other sleep disorders, which can hurt their oral health. It can wear down your enamel, which can make you more susceptible to cavities and damage to your pearly whites. Getting poor sleep due to this problem can also lead to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, and stress, which can in turn continue the problem.
How Can The Dentist Help?
There is a surprisingly simple tool that can help you treat this disorder. An oral appliance is made to fit into your mouth, and you will wear it as you sleep. This helps patients with TMJ by supporting the jaw joints. For patients with bruxism, the appliance will protect the teeth from mashing against each other as you sleep. In the morning, you may feel more rested and experience less tension.
If you have damage from bruxism, there are also restoration options available to you. For instance, a crown can be used to cover chipped or broken teeth and protect them from further breakage. Severely damaged teeth can be removed and replaced with implants, which offer a permanent replacement for your pearly whites.
Talk To Your Dentist About An Oral Appliance Today
If you have symptoms of TMJ or bruxism, talk to your dentist today. Schedule an appointment today by calling Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108.
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