Grinding and TMJ
TMJ Disorders – Diagnosis and Treatment
Grinding and TMJ Treatment Albury
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is comprised of muscles, blood vessels, nerves and bones.
There are two TMJs, one on each side of your jaw. TMJ disorders are problems or symptoms of the chewing muscles and joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull.
Causes of TMJ Pain
The cause of pain in TMJ includes:
- The result of displacement of the cartilage disc that causes pressure and stretching of the associated sensory nerves
- A bad bite or orthodontic braces stress and tooth grinding
Symptoms Associated with TMJ Disorders
- Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
- Clicking, popping or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
- Dull, aching pain in the face
- Earache
- Headache
- Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
- Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
Grinding and TMJ Treatment at Kreativ Dental Albury
In most cases, the symptoms of TMJ disorders can be treated with self-care measures at home.
To ease the symptoms of TMJ, you can:
- eat soft foods
- use ice to reduce swelling
- reduce jaw movements
- avoid chewing gum and tough foods
- reduce stress
- use jaw-stretching exercises to help improve jaw movement
You may need help if your symptoms don’t improve with these treatments.
Depending on your symptoms, we may prescribe or recommend the following:
- pain medications (such as ibuprofen)
- medications to relax the muscles of the jaw (such as Flexeril, Soma, or Valium)
- medications to help reduce swelling in the jaw (corticosteroid drugs)
- stabilisation splints or bite guards to prevent teeth grinding
- Botox to reduce tension in the muscle and nerves of the jaw
- cognitive behavioural therapy to help reduce stress
Procedures used to treat this condition may, in some cases, make your symptoms worse. Talk to your Albury dentist about the potential risks of these procedures.
Grinding and TMJ Treatment in Albury
Don’t put off your routine exams; it can prevent dental disease progression.
Give us a call on (02) 6021 4171 for more information. Request your appointment online.
We are located at 525 Wilson St in Albury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is TMJ?
What is TMD?
What are the symptoms of TMD?
What causes TMD?
There are several different contributing factors that can cause TMD. Arthritis, head trauma, bruxism, poor genetics, bad posture, gum chewing, etc., can all cause TMD.