TMD/Bruxism Night guards Burlington

Bruxism is the medical term for grinding, gnashing, or clenching your teeth. This can happen both during the day, often when people feel anxious or tense, and at night while sleeping, which is called sleep Bruxism. Bruxism can affect people of all ages, but children are more likely to experience it at night while adults can have it either during the day or at night.

Although Bruxism can be mild and not require treatment, it can also be frequent and severe enough to lead to jaw disorders, headaches, damaged teeth, and other problems. If left untreated, Bruxism can cause significant damage to teeth and jaws. To prevent Bruxism and the potential damage it can cause, it is important to use mouthguards and night guards.

Signs and Symptoms of Bruxism

It's important to talk to your dentist if you feel you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Bruxism, including

• Grinding or clenching teeth
• Pain and tenderness in or around the ear, jaw, or muscles of the face or temples
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• Clicking, popping, crunching, or grinding noise when chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth
• Neck pain
• Headaches

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your dentist. They can recommend a mouthguard or night guard to help prevent damage to your teeth caused by Bruxism.

TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition that causes pain and difficulty in moving the jaw, and may be linked to Bruxism and head or neck muscle tension. TMD may be caused by a combination of factors such as jaw injuries, joint disease like arthritis, and stress. To diagnose TMD, your dentist will conduct a thorough medical and dental evaluation and may take certain X-rays to evaluate the jaw joint and surrounding structures. They may also check the muscles and tissues of the head and neck for inflammation and may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further evaluation and diagnosis.

How can your dentist help with TMD

To diagnose TMD, your dentist will conduct a thorough medical and dental examination to determine the cause of your pain and difficulty moving your jaw. They may also order panoramic X-rays to examine your occlusion, assess the health of your jaw joint, and diagnose TMD. To check for inflammation, your dentist may examine the muscles and tissues of your head and neck. They may also recommend specific exercises and movements as part of your treatment, and may refer you to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon for further evaluation and diagnosis.

Lakeside Family Dental in Burlington provides professional, custom dental nightguards to treat both bruxism and TMD disorders; contact us to schedule a consultation appointment.