You might not realize it, but something like chronic headaches can be the result of problems with your jaw. TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues can make it harder to speak, bite, and chew, while also creating regular pain in your face, neck, and head. While no single issue is attributed to creating every instance of TMJ problems, bruxism (frequent teeth grinding) is capable of creating problems with your jaw joints. The pressure you generate when you clench your jaw can be great enough to strain the joints, and eventually cause irregularities. In addition to chronic discomfort, bruxism can cause you to suffer dental damage that needs to be restored by your dentist.

How Your Dentist Can Treat Bruxism

Your dentist can put a stop to bruxism by creating a special mouthpiece that you can wear while you sleep (to stop unconscious grinding). The guard will separate teeth so that you cannot grind them against each other, and help control this action from occurring. If you have TMJ issues, custom mouth guards can help with this problem as well.

What To Do About Damaged Teeth

Stopping bruxism is important, and so is taking care to restore any damage you have suffered from its effects. Cosmetic dental solutions for superficial damage can help you return your smile to the way it looked before wear and tear started to affect your teeth. In the event that you grind your teeth with enough force to cause a serious breakage in a tooth, you may need a dental crown. Your dentist can analyze the degree of damage and identify a proper solution.