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We see patients all the time who are suffering from TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder, also known as TMD. TMD is a painful feeling in your jaw and around your ears, and is often characterized by clicking when you chew or speak. One of the major causes for this disorder is bruxism, or grinding your teeth. Often we can ease the pain of TMD by treating the bruxism first. Below are three of the most successful treatments for bruxism.
Relaxation Techniques – Stress can be a contributing factor to bruxism, so relaxation techniques before bed are very beneficial. Deep breathing and warm compresses can ease your muscles, allowing you to rest without grinding your teeth.
Cutting Back on Caffeine and Stress – If at all possible, we encourage our patients to cut back on stress in their lives, as well as caffeine. Caffeine, especially close to bedtime, can trigger bruxism episodes leading to a painful morning.
Orthodontic Solutions – When stress and other external factors are eliminated, we might turn to more serious solutions like orthodontic work. Bruxism can be a result of misaligned teeth. Often we can eliminate the bruxism and greatly ease the symptoms of TMD by aligning your teeth so that they rest comfortably while you sleep.
For more information about the relationship between orthodontics and TMD, please give us a call! We would love to talk about it with you. You can also set up a consultation or appointment here on the website, and we can talk in person. We can’t wait to see you soon!