Managing TMJ Pain

If you are suffering from jaw pain, headaches, earaches, or difficulty chewing, you may have temporomandibular joint disorders, often referred to as TMJ. Symptoms are often caused by the clenching or grinding of teeth, called bruxism. The pressure of the top and bottom teeth grating against each other can wear on the joints and muscles of your jaw, leading to pain. Your dentist can help manage excruciating symptoms with various treatment options. The dentists at Rebol Family Dentistry in Asheville, NC describe TMJ treatment that can help your jaw pain.

tmj treatment dentist asheville nc

Stress relief

A common cause of bruxism is stress. Often, teeth grinding occurs at night, so a patient is unaware they are creating pressure that can harm their jaw during the day. Lowering stress can reduce the likelihood of this behavior continuing subconsciously. Your dentist can recommend stress relief activities, including physical exercise and breathing cycles. Your dentist can also suggest stretches that you can do with your mouth that will loosen tight muscles in the jaw. This can relax the area and make it less likely that bruxism will persist. The resulting jaw relaxation can relieve pain from TMJ as well.

Oral appliance

To manage teeth grinding that occurs overnight while a patient is unconscious, a dentist might recommend wearing an oral appliance. The mouthguard-like device is customized to fit your unique mouth and can protect your teeth from the pressure of subconscious bruxism. Because it is custom-made, this appliance will not disrupt sleep as it fits comfortably and effectively in your mouth. The protective layer the device provides can relieve pain related to TMJ.

Restorative dentistry

Severe cases of TMJ may require restorative dental solutions. Jaw pain can stem from issues related to missing or misaligned teeth. Dental implants can restore oral function to your teeth and stop teeth from shifting where there was an empty space. Because implants are placed into the jawbone, they reduce the chance of bone loss and can even stimulate bone regeneration. Improved jawbone health can relieve painful TMJ symptoms. Crooked teeth can cause your bite to be out of alignment. Invisalign can straighten teeth to ensure your bite is healthy, which can also relieve jaw pain and manage TMJ.

TMJ treatment available in Asheville, NC

Rebol Family Dentistry offers TMJ treatment to patients in Asheville, NC. Our practice also specializes in general, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry for patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 828.247.7222.