When most people think of dental and oral health problems, they probably automatically picture cavities, fillings, tooth loss, gum disease, and other well-known conditions that affect the teeth and mouth; however, there are many other problems that can occur within the mouth that many patients do not know about. Take TMJ, for instance. Though not very well known, TMJ disorder is a condition that affects the jaw joint and causes a variety of symptoms including jaw pain, neck pain, headaches and others.
Generally, one of the most obvious tell-tale signs of TMJ disorder is grinding or clenching of the teeth. When the teeth constantly grind or are clenched at night – which causes excess pressure and tension on the teeth as well as the jaw joint – a patient could develop TMJ. To fix teeth grinding and clenching, patients can wear a mouth guard at night, which will protect the teeth and prevent further damage.
When a patient grinds or clenches his or her teeth, the added pressure and tension can damage the dentition, which leaves the teeth and jaw vulnerable to added damage. To ensure that damaged dentition doesn’t result in TMJ disorder, early detection and treatment is a must. Patients who recognize that they clench or grind their teeth at night should seek treatment immediately.
Don’t Let a Treatable Condition Cause More Oral Health Problems
The key to preventing TMJ is awareness. Patients should be aware of their clenching and grinding at night and need to know that treatment is a must have. TMJ disorder is a treatable condition when the underlying causes and precursors are quickly acted upon. Early detection requires the skills and experience of a dentist, such as Dr. Pappas. To learn more about TMJ treatment and prevention, call Dr. Pappas’ office today. Patients can also email us here.
