TMD Treatment in Adelaide

Are you experiencing pain or clicking in your jaw joint? Are you finding it hard to do daily activities such as chewing and talking? Do you suffer from headaches as a result of clenching and grinding your teeth?At Burnside Dental Practice, we offer TMD treatment in Adelaide for patients experiencing symptoms of TMD. We can help you from the symptoms of TMD, including jaw clenching treatment, bruxism headache treatment and teeth clenching treatment.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is when you unconsciously grind your teeth. This usually occurs at night, though some people also grind their teeth during the day often during stressful periods. While you might be unaware of grinding your dentist will often notice signs of bruxism during regular visits. Symptoms of bruxism include.

1. Abnormal teeth wear and chipped teeth
2. Sensitive teeth caused by enamel wear
3. Pain and tension in the jaw and ears

It’s difficult to diagnose the cause of bruxism, but often it is related to misalignment of the teeth, stress or anxiety. Bruxism is a serious disorder that can lead to severe damage to the teeth and enamel, constant pain in the jaw and ears and could even cause the loss of a tooth.

What is TMD?

TMD, short for temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)or your jaw joint. It refers to any pain, tenderness and dysfunction experienced in the joint and surrounding muscles, which can affect movement of the jaw. As the joint is both a hinging and sliding joint, it is more susceptible to wear and tear over time than other joints.

What’s the Difference Between TMD and Bruxism?

TMD and bruxism are often used interchangeably to describe similar symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint, but there is a difference between the two. Bruxism refers to grinding and clenching of the teeth, which is a symptom that TMD sufferers often experience. It’s possible for to someone to experience both TMD and bruxism, although not everyone with bruxism may suffer from TMD. At Burnside Dental Practice, we offer jaw and teeth clenching treatment that can provide relief for both bruxism and TMD.

What Causes TMD?

The main cause of TMD is currently unknown, however there are certain contributing factors that may make a person more likely to experience TMD. These factors can include:

What Does TMD Treatment Involve?

There are several options available for TMD treatment depending on its cause and severity:

If stress if suspected as a contributing factor, our dentist may recommend simple lifestyle changes in order to reduce stress levels.
For TMD sufferers who are experiencing damage to their teeth caused by teeth grinding and clenching, our dentist may suggest a custom nightguard that’s worn at night to protect the teeth from damage. Nightguards can also prevent painful symptoms such as teeth clenching headache.
For severe TMD cases, injectables may be used to relax the affected muscles and allow for better range of movement.

What Are the Symptoms of TMD?

The symptoms of TMD can vary from individual to individual. Some of the most common symptoms that cause people to seek out TMD treatment include:

Pain in the temporomandibular joint, particularly when opening the mouth to chew or talk
Clicking or popping sounds
Grinding or clenching of the teeth (bruxism)
Teeth clenching headache
A limited range of motion, restricting jaw movement
Weakness and stiffness of the jaw muscle
Jaw muscle spasms
Facial pain that can extend to the ear and neck
Pain or tension in neck or shoulders
Ringing sensation (tinnitus) or feeling of blockage in the ear

How to Stop Clenching Your Teeth

Trying to stop clenching your teeth can be difficult if you’re not aware when you’re doing it. For this reason, it’s important to become consciously aware of when teeth clenching is occurring so you can correct the behaviour. Reducing stress can also be helpful. It’s recommended that you take a few minutes for yourself every hour to relax your facial muscles and practice mindfulness. If you suspect that you’re clenching your teeth in your sleep (i.e. you’re waking up with a teeth clenching headache), our dentist can provide teeth clenching treatment with a custom nightguard.

TMD Treatment in Adelaide