TMJ disorder, sometimes referred to as TMD, can impact the balance of your bite and cause trouble eating and even speaking! This can also lead to discomfort, such as headaches and jaw pain. In today’s blog, your Livonia, MI, dentist looks at how we stop TMJ headaches with a comfortable and custom oral appliance.
TMJ Disorder and Headaches
Our jaw and skull are connected by the temporomandibular joints, which control the actions needed to eat and speak. TMJ disorder means these joints have undergone excess strain, which could be caused by teeth grinding, tooth loss, misalignment, complications with the growth of the jaw and oral structures, and injury to the face or jaw. Without treatment, this could lead to trouble opening and closing your mouth, as well as headaches, migraines, jaw pain, facial aches, and discomfort in the neck and shoulders. A popping or clicking sensation in the jaw is often experienced as well. If you encounter one or more of these symptoms, then contact our team right away!
Easing Discomfort
In the meantime, you can ease discomfort by avoiding hard or chewy foods, as the actions necessary to treat them could exacerbate symptoms. You can also use a warm washcloth against the side of the face to ease tension. We could offer treatment with orthodontics, which correct misalignment. A dental prosthetic could replace missing teeth, and we could use crowns or contouring to improve overall bite balance. But the most common solution is a custom-made oral appliance.
Relief with an Oral Appliance
The oral appliance is a device created and custom-fitted for your smile, crafted based on detailed images and impressions we gather with digital technology. The resulting appliance will look and fit like a mouthguard, and is worn as you sleep at night. This helps reposition the smile to ease tension and prevent headaches and other painful symptoms. This also helps if you grind your teeth, as the barrier between your upper and lower sets of teeth can prevent further damage to the teeth.
If you have any questions about how we diagnose and treat a disorder like TMD, or if you have migraines that need attention, then contact our team today. We want to help you enjoy a healthy, functional, and comfortable smile, and one that stays bright and whole for years to come!
TALK TO YOUR LIVONIA/DETROIT, MI DENTIST ABOUT TMD HEADACHES
We want to bring relief for the pain caused by jaw joint strain. If you want to learn more about treating the causes of your migraines, then please contact your Livonia, MI, dentist, Dr. Stewart, by calling (734) 425-4400. We want to help you and those closest to you continue to smile with confidence and enjoy good oral health.