When you have persistent headaches and migraines, you may be surprised to learn this could be related to your smile. TMJ disorder can impact your oral health and also cause headaches too. In today’s blog, your Woodland Hills, CA, dentist talks about how we diagnose and treat issues like TMJ disorder.
The Causes of TMD
How does one develop a jaw joint disorder like TMD? For some, this could be due to factors that upset bite balance, such as tooth loss, dental misalignment, injury to the face or jaw, wisdom tooth eruption, or issues with the growth of the jaw and key oral structures. The stress upsets bite balance and can eventually impact how you open and close your mouth. You could be more likely to develop bruxism too, or chronic teeth grinding, which can wear down and damage enamel to leave you vulnerable to tooth decay and infection, as well as negative changes to your smile’s appearance.
The Warning Signs and Complications
How do you know if you have TMJ disorder? Many report a popping or cracking sensation in their jaw, as well as pain in the face and jaw. Headaches and migraines could occur, as could toothaches and sensitivity or even pain in the neck and shoulders. When you have discomfort like this, let us know. Don’t risk the chance for damaged teeth and painful complications like tooth decay and infection, which could cause issues with smile stability if left untreated!
Treating Your TMJ Disorder
Treatment will begin with our team taking a detailed look at your smile to assess the cause and extent of your TMD concerns. We then create a treatment plan to address it. For some, we could place a prosthetic to address the gaps in your smile or correct misalignment with braces or aligners. Placing custom crowns or using dental bonding could improve overall bite balance too, so you can avoid strain.
But the most common option is an oral appliance, which looks like a mouthguard and is custom-fitted for your smile. The device is easy to use and clean, and can travel with you as needed. When worn at night, the device helps reposition the jaw to ease strain and prevent TMD-related symptoms. If you grind your teeth too, this helps prevent dental damage by placing a barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth.
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat issues like TMJ disorder or bruxism then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy good oral health, a comfortable smile, and results that you can’t wait to show off to the world.
Start Your Treatment for TMJ Dysfunction Today
Our team is ready to find the source of your discomfort and bring relief. To schedule an appointment, call Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA, today at (818) 347-5124.