TMJ Treatment in Coronado, Imperial Beach, and Downtown San Diego

Determining whether you need a night guard requires a professional diagnosis. However, some common signs that you might need one include waking up with a sore jaw, experiencing frequent headaches, noticing worn-down or chipped teeth, or if you've been told that you grind your teeth in your sleep. A night guard can help protect your teeth from the damaging effects of grinding and clenching, and alleviate discomfort associated with TMJ disorders.

While a night guard cannot completely stop you from clenching or grinding your teeth, it serves as a protective barrier to prevent your teeth from wearing down. It also helps distribute the force of clenching, which can alleviate symptoms of TMJ disorders such as jaw pain and headaches.

If TMJ disorders are left untreated, they can lead to a range of complications. These include chronic jaw pain, headaches, earaches, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and even damage to the teeth and jawbone. Over time, untreated TMJ disorders can also lead to a decreased quality of life due to persistent pain and discomfort.

Teeth clenching, also known as bruxism, can be managed with the right treatment. While there isn't a one-size-fits-all cure, treatments like night guards and Botox can significantly reduce the frequency and intensity of clenching, alleviating discomfort and preventing further damage to your teeth and jaw.

Botox works by blocking nerve signals in the muscles where it is injected, causing them to relax. When used for TMJ disorders, Botox can help alleviate jaw tension, reduce jaw pain, and minimize the damaging effects of teeth grinding and clenching. It's a minimally invasive procedure that can provide relief for several months at a time.

Did you know that Botox was first introduced to the market for medical reasons? Botox’s medicinal properties are no secret, as the drug was first used to treat eye muscle disorders. Today, it’s commonly used to treat TMJ, bruxism, headaches, and jaw pain. 

These conditions are typically all linked. If you grind your teeth at night, you are at an increased risk for developing TMJ as well as jaw pain and headaches. Teeth grinding can also break your teeth if it's chronic. By administering Botox into the temples and jaw muscles such as the masseters, we can paralyze the muscles that are responsible for teeth grinding and clenching. 

Botox prevents these muscles from contracting so you don’t damage your teeth, strain your jaw, and get headaches. This will also help treat symptoms of TMJ like lockjaw, popping sounds when opening your mouth, and difficulty chewing. Botox can even help you adjust to new dentures by helping to relax the muscles.

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a condition that affects the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. There isn't a single cause of TMJ, but rather a combination of factors that can contribute to its development. Some common causes include:

• Jaw misalignment: If the joints and muscles in your jaw are not properly aligned, it can put stress on the TMJ and lead to discomfort and pain.
• Teeth grinding or clenching: Habit• • ual teeth grinding or clenching, also known as bruxism, can strain the TMJ and surrounding muscles, leading to TMJ disorder.
• Arthritis: Certain types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, can affect the TMJ and cause pain and inflammation.
• Injury or trauma: A direct injury or trauma to the jaw, such as a blow or impact, can damage the TMJ and result in TMJ disorder.

‍It's important to note that these are just some of the common causes of TMJ, and each individual may have different contributing factors. If you suspect you have TMJ, we encourage you to reach out to our team. From there, we can do an examination and create a personalized treatment plan to get you out of pain.

TMJ disorder can manifest in a variety of symptoms, which can range from mild to severe. Some common symptoms of TMJ include:

• Jaw pain or soreness: This is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ. The pain may be localized to the jaw joint or radiate to the surrounding areas, such as the ears, temples, or neck.
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing: TMJ disorder can make it painful or uncomfortable to chew, which can affect your ability to eat certain foods.
• Clicking or popping sounds: You may experience clicking, popping, or grating sounds when you open or close your mouth. These sounds can be accompanied by a sensation of the jaw getting stuck or locked in a certain position.
• Headaches or migraines: TMJ-related headaches are often described as tension headaches that originate from the jaw joint. They can be recurrent and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as neck pain or facial pain.
• Ear pain or ringing in the ears: TMJ disorder can cause ear pain, a feeling of fullness in the ears, or ringing or buzzing sounds in the ears (tinnitus).

TMJ flare-ups can be triggered by a variety of factors, and what triggers one person may not necessarily trigger another. However, some common triggers of TMJ flare-ups include:

Stress: Stress can cause muscle tension and increase the likelihood of teeth grinding or clenching, which can aggravate TMJ symptoms.
Poor posture: Slouching or poor posture can strain the muscles in the neck and jaw, leading to TMJ discomfort.
Chewing hard or tough foods: Eating foods that require excessive chewing or putting excessive pressure on the jaw joint can trigger TMJ symptoms.
Excessive gum chewing: Constantly chewing gum can strain the jaw muscles and exacerbate TMJ symptoms.
Cold weather: Some individuals may experience increased TMJ pain or discomfort in cold weather due to the tightening of muscles.