Relief from Migraines, TMJ Disorder, and Bruxism
Unconsciously grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw at night is called bruxism. It’s said that roughly 30 percent of the U.S. population will experience some form of bruxism in their lives, whether it be chronic or intermittently. TMJ disorder includes painful symptoms, such as jaw pain, frequent headaches (especially in the temples), shoulder and neck stiffness, migraines, and muscle spasms. This condition results from overusing or misusing your temporomandibular joints, which reside on either side of your lower jaw and connect it to the two sides of your skull. A misaligned bite is usually the cause of TMJ disorder, but that doesn’t mean orthodontics are the only way to treat it!
You may wonder why these two disorders are discussed together. They’re both results of nightly teeth grinding and jaw clenching. Drs. Scott Lee and Adam Proctor in Chandler, AZ recommend their patients use night guards to stop unconscious teeth grinding.
Negative Results of Bruxism and TMJ Disorder
Unknowingly grinding your teeth at night can cause serious pain when you are awake. You may experience frequent migraines or headaches or feel stiffness in your neck and shoulders each morning. These are unpleasant, but common side effects of bruxism and TMJ disorder. Bruxism can ruin the integrity of past dental work by wearing down your teeth. It’s not uncommon to experience chips, cracks, or loosened teeth as a result of bruxism.
TMJ disorder occurs due to excessive strain placed on your jaw muscles. If you’re grinding or clenching your teeth at night, your jaws never get the rest and recuperation they so desperately need. This is why you may feel such intense pain when chewing, biting, or talking. Overuse of your temporomandibular joints can a popping or clicking sound when you open your mouth.
Over time, with continued teeth grinding, enamel may wear down and teeth may become extremely sensitive. Your neck, head, shoulders, jaw, and tooth roots can all become sensitive as a result of bruxism, as well.
Our Solution
At Every Smile Chandler, Drs. Lee and Proctor recommend night guards as a simple solution to your grinding or clenching. A night guard is similar to an athletic mouth guard, however it’s used solely while you sleep. It’s incredibly simple to use, just insert the plastic device into your mouth before going to bed and remove it once you wake up. While you’re asleep, it will protect the tops of your teeth, reducing wear and sensitivity. After wearing the mouth guard for a few nights, you should begin to sleep better, allowing you to feel better rested when you wake.
Drs. Lee and Proctor will examine your mouth and take your symptoms into consideration before recommending a night guard. Your night guard will be custom-made to fit the unique shape of your mouth. To ensure a perfect fit, Drs. Lee and Proctor will take impressions of your mouth before having the customized guard created in a dental laboratory. This will guarantee the greatest level of comfort and the best results.
You can expect to wear your night guard every night. You’ll be asleep while wearing the device; therefore, it won’t interfere with your routines. Although you can buy night guards at stores, these are one-size-fits-all and do not fit as well or feel as comfortable. Even the boil-and-bite variety are not ideal, as any error in the pressure of your bite can result in an improper fit. As a result, patients frequently remove them because they feel too bulky. Having one created for you by our doctors will produce better results and fit more comfortably in your mouth.
