TMJ and bruxism have many symptoms in common, but the treatments are distinct. This blog will clarify the differences between the two conditions and their treatment; noted below are brief overviews of each condition:

• People with bruxism clench and grind their teeth, usually at night.
• TMJ is a jaw joint condition that may cause more severe symptoms.

What is Bruxism?

It is also called teeth grinding, a condition in which individuals unintentionally clench or grind their teeth. The majority of the time, bruxism happens when a person is sleeping.

If this condition is not treated, it may lead to issues like:

• Broken or cracked teeth 
• Hypersensitive and loose teeth 
• Severe toothache
• Damage to any dental device in your mouth
• Jaw pain and headache
• Possibility of hearing loss

Treatment Options for Bruxism

You can effectively address bruxism by consulting with your healthcare practitioner and implementing the suggestions below:-

• Managing stress and anxiety 
• Jaw exercise and massage
• Mouthguards and splints
• Muscle relaxants
• Botox

The most popular form of treatment for bruxism is a mouthguard. Wearing a mouthguard while you sleep can help to relax your jaw muscles and prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth at night.

Please consult our dentist near you to learn more about other treatment solutions. We will suggest the most effective treatment option and assist you in addressing your concerns.

What is TMJ?

This joint on either side of your face holds the upper and lower jaws together and enables smooth jaw opening and closing. If you have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD), you are more likely to experience discomfort in this joint and possibly have trouble moving the jaw.

This condition can also give rise to::

• A swollen jaw
• Difficulty chewing any food
• Locking of the jaw
• Severe pain when chewing or yawning, particularly in the neck, face, and shoulders

Treatment Options for TMJ

Here are some ways you can treat TMJ: 

1. Pain relief medications and anti-inflammatories

Common medications prescribed to patients include Tricyclic antidepressants, muscle relaxants, and Botox treatments.  

Untreated bruxism can result in temporomandibular joint disorders, which other dental issues like arthritis can also bring on, dislocation of the disc that supports the jaw joint, trauma, force trauma, and injuries to the jaw.

2. Mouthguards

Compared to a custom sports mouth guard or a mouth guard for bruxism, a TMJ mouth guard has a distinct design and function. The very rigid acrylic material used to make these mouthguards serves as a split to raise the bite and realign the jaw. This aids in easing the pain and symptoms of TMD.

3. Alternative procedures

TMJ arthroscopy, open-joint surgery, modified condyloma, and arthrocentesis are other measures that your dentist may explore depending on your current condition.

It is crucial to treat these issues immediately to prevent further, more severe concerns from developing. Consult with a dentist near you who can help you with these issues. If you’re seeking treatment options for TMJ treatment near you, you can also visit Westside Family Dental. 

We provide our patients with comprehensive dental treatment at Westside Family Dental. We have a team of medical professionals with experience treating different conditions. You can contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our healthcare experts to discuss your problems. We provide our patients with quality care to ensure their problems receive the proper and timely attention to prevent more severe problems and complications.

Our patients are our family and priority, contact us and schedule your appointment today if you want to get treatment for Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) in NW Edmonton. 

The post Bruxism and TMJ Share Symptoms But Are Very Different appeared first on Westside Family Dental.