Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) Specialist

What is TMD?

Temporomandibular joint (TMD) disorders are a group of disorders in which grinding and clenching of teeth, as well as stress in your jaw, cause pain in your head, neck, and shoulders. The pain from TMD can be so severe it can mimic a migraine.

Symptoms of TMD include:

• Clicking and popping noises when you open and close your mouth
• Limited range of jaw motion
• Headaches

TMD disorders may be caused by irregularities in the shape of your mouth, stress, nighttime teeth clenching and grinding, or missing teeth.

How do mouthguards treat TMD?

At McLean Aura Dentistry, the team provides custom-made night guards you wear while you sleep. This prevents you from habitually grinding your teeth, a common cause of TMD disorders.

When you grind your teeth, which is called bruxism, it wears them down and stresses the supporting structures in your jaw joint. The night guard makes you more aware of your bruxism and prevents you from being able to do it.

A mouthguard can also help by adjusting your bite slightly. A misaligned bite is another potential cause of TMD disorders.

Why are mouthguards important during sports?

Wear a mouthguard during contact sports to protect your teeth from becoming cracked, fractured, or knocked out entirely. Participants in football, boxing, martial arts, basketball, and hockey, for example, appreciate the protection provided by a mouth guard.

Even if your sport doesn’t involve person-to-person contact, you might choose to wear a mouth guard to protect you during falls or impact. These sports include gymnastics and skateboarding.

While you can get stock mouthguards, they aren’t always comfortable. Plus, they may not protect your teeth as well as a customized mouthguard made just for you by the team at McLean Aura Dentistry.

How do I care for a mouthguard?

Whether you have a night guard for the grinding and clenching of TMD disorders or a sports mouthguard, care is similar.

Rinse it regularly with water or a special mouth rinse before and after use. Store it in a perforated container which allows air circulation to discourage mold growth. Keep it away from temperature extremes, which may distort its shape.

You can bring your mouthguard to your dental visits for the doctors to inspect and ensure it’s still working properly.

If you need a mouthguard, contact the expert team at McLean Aura Dentistry. Call the office or book an appointment online.