Stress impacts every system in our body, from cognitive function to the digestive system, and your jaw joint function is no exception. While stress contributes to problems like temporomandibular disorder (TMD), it may not be the only factor causing your jaw joint (TMJ) pain. Here's what you should know.
What Causes TMD?
Several factors besides stress could be contributing to your jaw pain:
- Tooth grinding and clenching (bruxism) — When you clench and grind your teeth at night, it puts a strain on your TMJ muscles.
- Sleep apnoea — A debilitating sleep disorder that can contribute to TMD and TMJ discomfort.
- Joint misalignment — When your TMJ is out of alignment, it can cause pain and discomfort.
- Trauma — Injury to your jaw joint can contribute to TMD symptoms.
- Bite misalignment — If your bite is not aligned correctly, it can cause bruxism and TMJ issues.
How Do We Treat TMD at Be Well Dental?
Your Brisbane dentist offers personalised treatment for TMD. The causes of TMD vary from patient to patient, so we first determine the root cause to make the right treatment recommendations for your needs. Here are some of the treatment procedures our dentists may recommend:
- Laser Therapy — The dental laser may be able to help reduce facial muscle tension.
- Stress Management Techniques — Gentle movement, breathing techniques, and yoga can help to manage stress levels and alleviate TMD.
- Therapeutic Injections — Targeted injections can relieve overactive muscles causing bruxism or facial pain.
- Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy (OMT) — We teach you exercises to retrain tongue posture, breathing, and swallowing.
- Custom Oral Appliances — A night guard may protect your teeth from damage if bruxism is a problem while you sleep.
- Orthodontic Treatment — We may recommend orthodontic treatment for bite correction and alignment.
Contact Be Well Dental
If you're struggling with TMJ pain or discomfort, we can help. Talk with our team on (07) 3846 2002 for more information.