Temporomandibular Joint Disorder affects thousands of people. Although this is a fairly common condition with seemingly mild symptoms, you should not put off treatment. Many people may believe that treating TMJ involves invasive surgeries, but the solution can be simple. Your Sunny Smiles Dentistry in El Paso, Texas, can create a custom oral appliance to address this problem. In today’s blog, we’re here to discuss how TMD impacts your dental health, and how you can treat it.
What Causes TMJ
Several factors can lead to this disorder. Genetics, muscle problems, arthritis, grinding your teeth, and other outside conditions can lead to tension in the jaw. Over time, this can lead to frequent headaches, pain when chewing, or a stiff jaw. It may seem like these problems can be ignored, but it’s important to treat TMD as it can lead to other health problems.
How TMJ Affects Your Health
There is more to dental well-being than simply keeping your teeth cavity-free. Conditions like TMJ can harm your smile and increase your risk of decay, periodontal disease, and damage to your smile.
This condition can make your upper and lower mandibular joints to not fit correctly, making it difficult to open and close the mouth. It can also cause malocclusion, which can make you more susceptible to developing cavities. TMD is also often linked to bruxism. Chronically grinding your teeth can wear down the enamel and put you at risk of breaking down your teeth more easily.
It may also be more difficult to properly chew because of how your jaw fits together. This can potentially cause difficulty when digesting food. These symptoms can continue to progress if TMD is ignored.
A Non-Surgical Solution
If you are facing these symptoms, there may be an easy treatment option for you. A custom-made oral appliance can be created for you that will support your joints. If you suffer from bruxism due to TMD, this solution will also protect your teeth from grinding against each other as you sleep.
Paired with forms of physical therapy, this treatment can help reduce the side effects of TMJ. To get your oral appliance, talk to your dentist today. They can take a closer look at the problem and officially diagnose you. Then, measurements will be taken and sent to the lab where your guard will be created.
If you have suffered from cavities or worn-down teeth due to TMD or bruxism, you can also speak to your dentist about restorations. Tooth-colored fillings can repair cavities and crowns can be placed over weakened teeth to help you chew.
Ask About An Oral Appliance
If you are dealing with TMJ-related problems, talk to your dentist today. To schedule an appointment at Sunny Smiles in El Paso, TX, call us at:915.759.7000.