Bruxism and TMJ
Say goodbye to headaches
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the one that connects the jaw to the skull. These are two joints that operate synchronously. TMJ disorders and fatigue in mandibular muscles are another cause of pain in the face and head that don’t originate in teeth. A large percentage of the population is estimated to have some functional impairment of the masticatory system and they are not even aware of it. Bruxism refers to a habit some people have of gritting their teeth against each other. This occurs in a voluntary or involuntary way. The most common symptoms of these disorders include pain in the face, head, ear, neck, muscles or jaw, snaps, limited mouth movement and/or intermittent blockages when opening it.
Several problems may arise due to this habit and their consequences are often irreversible, here are a few:
Excessive tooth wear causing headaches, neck pain, articulation misalignment and wear also in the joint of the two maxillary TMJ
Great aesthetic and functional problems due to excessive wear
Loss of jaw bone mass
Wear on tooth cervixes can cause sensitivity and gum shrinkage
Once dental problems caused by bruxism are fixed, it’s necessary to use a splint to prevent new wear and to protect your teeth, bone and joints.
