TMD
TMD is the acronym for temporomandibular disorder, which connects your lower jaw (the mandible) to your skull at the temporal bone. This joint controls many jaw functions, like chewing. If the chewing muscles or the joint itself are causing you pain you may have temporamandibular disorder, or TMD. TMD can be caused by stress, continual clenching of the jaw muscles, or teeth grinding.
If you suspect you may have TMD come in for a consultation. We can help diagnose you and provide relief for your symptoms. A night guard can be used to help prevent or lessen the effects of teeth grinding at night.
Night Guards
Many people are afflicted with bruxism, or teeth grinding. Some people may do this consciously during the day, but it is a larger problem at night while you are sleeping. Grinding your teeth can damage enamel, wear down teeth, cause jaw pain, or irritate your gums and cause migraines. The noise from teeth grinding can also disturb your spouse’s sleep if loud enough.
If you grind your teeth you should consider a night guard. The night guard, which is very similar to a mouth guard worn by athletes, provides a barrier between your top and bottom teeth while you sleep. All night guards are custom fitted for comfort and to allow for proper breathing. Dr. Parikh will take an impression of your teeth and have the night guard created by a dental lab. Night guards are very durable and can be used for up to 10 years.