Are You At Risk For TMJ Disorder?

It goes without saying that many people place a great emphasis on the appearance of their smile. Indeed, it is one of the first physical attributes one notices about another, and a person’s smile can communicate their level of happiness, confidence, and more. In order to keep your grin bright and clean, however, you must take strides to practice a thorough preventive routine. Even still, nontraditional issues can complicate your health, and knowing what to do in these circumstances makes all the difference. In today’s blog, your Houston, TX dentist explores what is at stake when you leave teeth grinding untreated, and how our team can help with TMJ treatment.

It Starts with Teeth Grinding

There are countless factors out there that can negatively influence your oral health. From the types of food and beverage you consume to the level of preventive care you are providing your smile and everything else in-between, there is hardly anything out there that your smile is truly safe from.

In addition to the common concerns you are familiar with – tooth decay, gum disease, other oral infections – there are a host of nontraditional issues as well. These can range in terms of effect and severity, and the longer you go without treating these issues, the worse they will become. But what exactly does a nontraditional dental concern look like?

Though they can range, these often consist of anything that influences your smile’s health. One such concern includes bruxism, a precursor to TMJ Disorder. You see, bruxism, which is also known as chronic teeth grinding, occurs when a person clenches his or her structures together and moves the lower jaw from side to side. To learn more about this phenomenon, give our team a call today.

Elements of a Jaw Dysfunction

When it comes to teeth grinding in and of itself, there are a number of circumstances to note. For example, the act of clenching and grinding your teeth can cause them to become weaker and more brittle, as well as increase your chances of developing infections.

Arguably the worst effect, however, is the onset of TMJ Disorder. This phenomenon occurs when the lower mandible becomes misaligned with one or both of the temporomandibular joints at which it hinges. Give our team a call today to learn more.

Treatment for Your Needs

TMJ Disorder is not a phenomenon to be taken lightly. In fact, it can lead to difficulties opening the mouth, painful popping or clicking in the jaw, and even significant tissue damage. Fortunately, our team has just what you need with guided splint therapy and an oral appliance.

Learn More Today

Don’t let your TMJ Disorder continue, and schedule your next visit with our team to learn more. Contact Sue Ellen Richardson, DDS in Houston, TX by calling 713-796-9600 to book your next appointment with our team today.