If you have ever mentioned jaw pain or discomfort to your dentist, you’ve likely been asked several questions about the pain as well as your habits. While these help your dentist to determine the cause, severity, and type of the pain you are experiencing, you may be left with questions of your own. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX, dentist will discuss the differences and similarities between TMJ disorder and bruxism, and what to do if you are suffering from jaw issues.
What Causes Jaw Discomfort?
There are many potential causes of jaw discomfort, and while there are some that you can’t control, there are two major causes that you can control (or learn to control): clenching and grinding your teeth. When you clench or grind your teeth, your jaw muscles can become fatigued, tight, and achy. This becomes what we would call bruxism.
How Is Bruxism Different From TMJ Disorder?
The simple answer is that bruxism is caused by clenching and grinding your teeth, while TMJ disorder occurs because one or both of your temporomandibular joints (your TMJs) function poorly, causing you discomfort and pain when moving your jaw. While the two have different causes, the symptoms are similar, with people with TMJ disorder experiencing:
- Pain when chewing
- Pain with repetitive jaw movement (during singing, speaking, etc.)
- Ringing in their ears
- Daily headaches or earaches
- Their jaws clicking or popping
- Their teeth fitting together poorly when they close their mouths
- Jaw pain, discomfort, and fatigue
With some similarities, people with bruxism may experience:
- Loudly grinding their teeth
- Wearing down the biting surfaces of their teeth
- Experiencing chips in their teeth from grinding
- Chewing on cheek tissue without realizing it
- Daily headaches
- Jaw pain, discomfort, and fatigue
What to Do If You Are Experiencing Symptoms
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should contact the Dental Centre of Conroe right away. It is good to have an idea of what might be causing your symptoms, so letting your dentist know if you are prone to grinding or clenching your teeth can help to give them a better chance of treating your symptoms in the most beneficial way. While the two disorders are different, the treatments are very similar. Each involve the use of a custom made oral appliance that is similar to a mouth guard which will help to either keep your jaw in the right place (which should end up being more comfortable over time for those suffering from TMJ disorder) or keep you from grinding and wearing down your teeth in the case of bruxism. This treatment is preventative, because it will prevent you from causing further stress and harm to your TMJs and the surrounding muscles, as well as to your teeth.
Let Us Help Ease Your Pain
When you are suffering from jaw pain or discomfort, you should talk to your dentist to find a solution that works for you. If you think you may be suffering from TMJ disorder or bruxism, contact the Dental Centre of Conroe to schedule a consultation by calling (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe, TX, and the neighboring communities.
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