Waking up with a sore jaw, uninteresting complications, or delicate tooth can briefly smash your morning. For those who revel in those signs incessantly, you could be coping with a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, bruxism, or a mixture of each.
At St. Mary’s Dental in Mechanicsville, MD—proudly serving Charlotte Corridor and Leonardtown—Dr. Gina McCray and Dr. Kara McCray Demer assist sufferers establish the foundation purpose in their jaw ache. Working out the variations and overlaps between TMJ problems and bruxism is step one towards discovering lasting aid.
What’s Bruxism?
Bruxism is the clinical time period for tooth grinding and jaw clenching. The general public with this situation grind their tooth unconsciously whilst they sleep, regardless that it could actually additionally occur all the way through the day all the way through moments of tension.
Not unusual signs of bruxism come with:
- Flattened, fractured, or chipped tooth
- Worn teeth teeth
- Higher teeth ache or sensitivity
- Drained or tight jaw muscle tissues
What are TMJ Issues?
Your temporomandibular joint acts like a sliding hinge connecting your jawbone in your cranium. TMJ problems happen when this joint, or the muscle tissues surrounding it, grow to be infected or broken.
You probably have a TMJ dysfunction, you could realize:
- Ache or tenderness to your jaw, face, or neck
- Problem or ache whilst chewing
- A clicking, popping, or grating sound whilst you open your mouth
- Your jaw locking in an open or closed place
The Overlap: How Bruxism and TMJ Attach
Whilst bruxism is an motion (grinding) and TMJ refers to a selected joint dysfunction, the 2 proportion a detailed courting. Consistent tooth grinding places immense drive to your jaw joints and surrounding muscle tissues. Over the years, continual bruxism can if truth be told purpose a TMJ dysfunction. Conversely, a misaligned jaw joint may cause muscle stress that triggers subconscious tooth grinding. For the reason that signs overlap so closely, securing a certified prognosis is the most important for right kind care.
The Significance of Treating Bruxism and TMJ
Ignoring jaw ache or grinding may end up in serious penalties to your oral well being. Untreated bruxism wears down your protecting teeth, expanding the danger of cavities, teeth fractures, and ultimately teeth loss. In the meantime, untreated TMJ problems may end up in continual facial ache, serious complications, and everlasting joint injury that restricts your skill to consume and discuss very easily.
Efficient Answers at St. Mary’s Dental
You would not have to reside with continual jaw ache or let grinding smash your smile. Dr. Gina McCray and Dr. Kara McCray Demer be offering extremely efficient therapies adapted in your explicit wishes.
Customized-Have compatibility TMJ Mouthguards
A one-size-fits-all mouthguard from the drugstore infrequently supplies ok aid. A TMJ mouthguard from St. Mary’s Dental will likely be custom-fit in your distinctive smile. This custom designed oral equipment holds your jaw in its optimum resting place. By way of supporting right kind alignment, it permits your strained muscle tissues to completely chill out, combating middle of the night grinding and offering vital ache aid.
Transparent Aligner Remedy
Now and again, each TMJ ache and bruxism stem from a misaligned chew. When your higher and decrease tooth don’t match in combination as it should be, your jaw muscle tissues paintings additional time to compensate. We provide transparent aligner remedy to discreetly and very easily proper chew problems. Aligning your tooth relieves the asymmetric drive to your jaw joint, successfully treating the foundation reason behind your discomfort.
Take the First Step Towards Reduction
Don’t let jaw ache or worn tooth dictate your lifestyles. For those who suspect you’re coping with a TMJ dysfunction or bruxism, achieve out to St. Mary’s Dental. Our staff is able to assist sufferers in Mechanicsville, Charlotte Corridor, and Leonardtown reach wholesome, pain-free smiles. Touch us as of late to time table your session and to find the proper resolution to your jaw well being.
Touch St. Mary’s Dental:
301-884-3248
Location (Faucet to open in Google Maps):
28160 Outdated Village Rd
Mechanicsville, Maryland
20659



