Do you wake-up with headaches that just about ruin your day before it even gets started? Do you hear your jaw pop or click when you eat or speak? Do you know the cause of these problems?
Frequent headaches and/or a clicking jaw may be caused by TMJ disorders (TMD). TMD affects the joint in your jaw which connects to your skull. Your TMJ is used for countless daily activities such as speaking and eating so problems with it can cause major pain and difficulty in your life. TMJ disorders can develop from trauma, stress, and developmental defects.
TMD is most closely associated with headaches and your jaw clicking, popping, and locking. Common symptoms include a dull but persistent pain in your jaw as well unexplained pain in your ears, neck, shoulders, and back. Untreated TMD can also make it difficult to open your mouth and lead to the fracturing of your teeth if you grind them.
So how do you treat TMD? You make an appointment at 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX. We work with a specialist to accurately diagnose and treat the symptoms of TMD. In today’s post of our dental health blog we’re going to look at the practical treatments available for TMD at our comfortable and modern office, then we’ll look at the advantages of our treatment methods over over-the-counter TMD treatments.
Splint Therapy for TMJ Disorders
Splint therapy, commonly called night guard therapy, is one of the most proven and effective ways at treating TMJ disorders. A popular treatment option for several decades, night guard therapy helps improve the function of your lower jaw. A night guard is an oral dental appliance used to prevent the clenching and grinding of your teeth while you sleep by holding your lower jaw in a more relaxed position. After a few weeks of use your jaw will begin to naturally teal resulting in greatly reduced muscle and jaw pain.
Night guards are available both as a store-bought dental appliance and as a customized, professional version produced by leading dental labs. Store-bought night guards are often ineffective because they wear down quickly and often offer a poor fit for your teeth. This results in minimal relief for your TMJ pain and can even disrupt your normal sleeping patterns.
Customized night guards are a much better investment because they offer effective relief for your TMJ pain. At 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX, we use high quality acrylic materials to craft a night guard that can withstand years worth of use without wearing down. In addition our night guards are customized to provide you with an excellent fit. That means you can get the relief you need without disrupting your normal sleeping patterns.
Undergoing Night Guard Therapy
Night guard therapy is most effective when you wear your night guard every night during sleep. Your dentist may also recommend that you wear your night guard during stressful moments throughout the day if you have a tendency to clench or grind your teeth. In just a few weeks of use most patients have reported a decrease in their morning time headaches and jaw pain.
Caring for your night guard will ensure that it lasts for years. When you’re not using your night guard it should be placed in water to prevent it from warping. Particles of food can get stuck in your night guard, so be sure and keep it clean to avoid the souring of the night guard and prevent tooth decay. Simply brush and rinse the night guard at the same time you brush your teeth in the evening. If you’re susceptible to tooth decay your dentist may recommend placing the night guard in a floured rinse or gel. That’s all there is to it!
Make An Appointment
Are you ready to say goodbye to your morning time headaches? Are you ready to decrease your jaw and neck pain? Do you suspect that you might be suffering from a TMJ disorder?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, you should schedule an appointment at 1st In Smiles in Plano, TX. We can detect and treat TMJ disorders to provide relief from headaches, jaw pain, and muscle aches. Call us today at 972-905-9266 to schedule your consultation.
