Nagging work issues, personal stress, anxiety, trouble sleeping, even too much caffeine can cause you to grind your teeth while you’re asleep — or while you’re awake. If the grinding goes on long enough, it can lead to significant pain and serious dental problems.
The issues stem from the temporomandibular jaw joints, which are located on each side of the face near the ear and control the movement of the jaw and impact the ability to chew and talk, explained Ellen Kirschling, doctor of dental medicine at First Choice Dental in Madison. Disorders of these TMJ joints are often described with the broader term temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
These disorders affect up to 12 million people in the United States, with the onset of symptoms usually appearing between the ages of 20 and 40.
Indications of TMD can vary widely from person to person, but typically include pain in the jaw itself, headaches or migraines, clicking or popping sensations when chewing, tooth pain, congestion or pain in the ear, and/or dizziness. You might not be able to fully open your mouth, or your jaw can feel locked in place when it’s either open or closed.
In addition to bruxism (the clinical name for teeth grinding), TMJ disorders can stem from other root causes like trauma, injury to the jaw, anatomical structure and misaligned teeth. Habits like nail biting and chewing on ice may contribute to the problem as well.
“Clenching and grinding can cause the teeth to break, and then the patient may need crowns, root canals or extractions,” Dr. Kirschling said. “Jaw pain can reduce the desire to chew and eat, which can negatively affect your nutrition. And if the ability to open your mouth is limited, it can make it difficult to receive dental care.”
Although a dental exam won’t necessarily reveal that a patient is suffering with symptoms of TMD, talking about tooth grinding or jaw pain can open up a conversation that leads to solutions for relief. A thorough evaluation might include a physical exam, X-rays and a sleep test to rule out apnea. Determining the cause of the problem informs and guides the most appropriate course of treatment. Options include jaw exercises, orthodontics, bite guards to wear while sleeping, chiropractic care, acupuncture, medication and surgery.
“Patients can also work on reducing their level of stress, making lifestyle changes or trying warm compresses and self-massage to help alleviate symptoms on their own,” Dr. Kirschling said.
As an innovative new approach to treating TMD, Botox injections can target the muscles that aggravate the TMJ to reduce tension, giving the joint a chance to relax, rest and recover.
If left untreated, TMD pain can worsen to the point it becomes chronic.
“TMD is really a quality-of-life issue,” said Dr. Kirschling. “No one wants to live in pain. If you’re experiencing symptoms, call a dentist or a TMJ specialist.”
To make an appointment or to learn more about First Choice Dental, go to firstchoicedental.com.
