When you have persistent headaches and jaw pain, this could impact your daily life in a number of ways, few of them positive. The discomfort could be related to common jaw joint disorders, such as TMJ disorder or even bruxism (teeth grinding). In today’s blog, your Syosset, NY dentist talks about treating the sources of your pain with an oral appliance.
The Link Between Headaches and TMJ Disorder
When you have persistent headaches and jaw pain, this could be due to a disorder known as TMD, or TMJ disorder. This occurs when your jaw joints undergo excessive strain, which could be caused by missing teeth, injury to the face or jaw, misalignment, untreated bruxism, or issues with the growth and development of your smile. Over time, this can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and issues opening and closing your mouth. Along with jaw pain and headaches, you could experience earaches, tooth sensitivity, toothaches, and a popping or clicking sensation in your bite.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a disorder in which we grind and clench our teeth each night, which can create a loud sound that irritates your significant other. Bruxism also places serious pressure on your bite, increasing the risk of cracked, chipped, and worn-down teeth. This raises the risk of tooth decay and infection, and also changes the appearance of your smile. This could be caused by the same factors behind TMJ disorder, as well as high stress levels in your daily life.
Oral Appliance Therapy
We can diagnose the disorders and choose the most appropriate treatment option. For many, we will custom-fit an oral appliance based on detailed digital images and measurements we take of your smile. The device will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn while you sleep. The appliance then repositions the smile to ease stress and strain. If you grind your teeth, this places a barrier between the upper and lower teeth to prevent further damage. Our team can also offer treatments like dental bonding and custom crowns to repair any damage to your teeth and improve the overall balance of your bite.
If you have any questions about how our team will treat issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism with a custom and comfortable oral appliance, then please contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a healthy and comfortable smile!
Do You Have Questions About Treating Aches in Your Jaw and Face?
We’re ready to help you enjoy a healthy and comfortable smile once again with a custom oral appliance. To learn more about how we treat the sources of your facial discomfort with an oral appliance, then contact our Syosset, NY dental office today at 516-433-2211.
