Category: TMJ

What Is TMJ Disorder?

Posted on by goldenproportions

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ or TMD) is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing pain, discomfort, and difficulty in everyday activities like eating and speaking. However, TMJ disorder can often be confusing, and patients dealing with the symptoms may have trouble finding a diagnosis and relief. That’s where your dentist in Reno comes into play.  

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a hinge-like structure that connects your jawbone to your skull. It plays a crucial role in basic activities like talking, chewing, and swallowing. TMJ disorder, also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is a condition that affects this joint, leading to a range of uncomfortable and often painful symptoms. It’s essential to note that TMJ disorder can affect one or both sides of the jaw.

Causes of TMJ Disorder

The precise causes of TMJ disorder are not always clear, and it often results from a combination of factors. Here are some common contributing factors:

  • Teeth Grinding/Clenching: Grinding or clenching your teeth can exert excessive pressure on the TMJ, leading to wear and tear.
  • Stress & Anxiety: Emotional stress can lead to jaw clenching, further straining the TMJ.
  • Arthritis: Inflammatory joint conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ.
  • Injury or Trauma: Physical injuries to the jaw area can disrupt the TMJ’s normal functioning.
  • Malocclusion: Poor teeth alignment or an improper bite can strain the TMJ over time.

Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

TMJ disorder can manifest in various ways, and its symptoms may vary from person to person. Some of the most common symptoms include:

  • Pain: This can be in the jaw joint, around the ear, in the temple, or even radiating to the neck and shoulders.
  • Limited Jaw Movement: Difficulty opening the mouth wide or a sensation of the jaw “locking” in place.
  • Clicking or Popping Sounds: These sounds may occur when you open or close your mouth, often due to a displaced disc in the TMJ.
  • Muscle Tenderness: The jaw muscles may become sore, leading to headaches or facial pain.
  • Swelling: In some cases, swelling in the jaw area may be evident.
  • Tooth Sensitivity: TMJ disorder can cause tooth pain, as the strain on the jaw affects the alignment of teeth.

If you have any of these common symptoms, schedule a visit with your dentist in Reno. 

Treatment Options for TMJ Disorder

The treatment of TMJ disorder depends on the severity of the condition, its underlying causes, and your symptoms. Some of the most common treatment options for TMJ Disorder include:

  • Rest

Give your jaw muscles a break by avoiding hard or chewy foods and limiting excessive talking or singing.

  • Heat or Ice

Applying a warm compress or an ice pack can help alleviate pain and reduce muscle tension.

  • Manage Stress

Stress management techniques like meditation and relaxation exercises can be helpful in reducing jaw clenching.

  • Medications

Over-the-counter pain medications prescribed for muscle relaxants can be beneficial in some cases to ease muscle tension and help reduce pain and inflammation.

  • Physical Therapy

Physical therapy includes exercises to strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles, improving mobility and reducing pain.

  • Oral Appliances

A night guard or splint can be custom-fitted by a dentist in Reno to reduce the effects of teeth grinding and clenching.

  • Botox Injections

In some cases, Botox injections can be used to temporarily relax the jaw muscles and reduce pain.

  • Orthodontic Treatment

Correcting teeth misalignment with braces or other orthodontic devices can alleviate TMJ disorder caused by malocclusion.

As you can see, treatment for TMJ Disorder varies greatly, so it’s important to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect you have TMJ disorder. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Even though TMJ disorder can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life, there are various treatment options available to manage the condition effectively. Understanding the causes, recognizing the symptoms, and seeking appropriate treatment can help alleviate the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ disorder. Whether through rest, physical therapy, oral appliance, medication, or other interventions, there are solutions that can bring relief and improve the overall well-being of those affected by this condition.

Don’t Let Stress Damage Your Teeth

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

The past year or so has been… interesting, to say the least. With lockdowns, working from home, schooling from home, and everything in between, it’s only normal to feel more stressed than usual. But during these times of increased stress, it’s more important than ever to take care of your health. After all, stress can put us at increased risk for health problems such as heart disease, gastrointestinal issues, and a less effective immune system. But that’s not all. Stress can also put your oral health at risk and require a visit to your dentist in Reno. 

How Stress Relates to Oral Health

There was an article published in the New York Times that details one dentist’s experience with seeing an increase in patients with dental damage during the pandemic. Now, while a pandemic is certainly a good reason to stress, there are other everyday stressors that can also cause problems with your oral health, with or without a pandemic. 

Teeth Clenching & Grinding – When we become stressed, we may notice an increased heart rate or feelings of anxiety. But what we may not notice, at least not right away, is how we clench our teeth together tightly or grind them back and forth against each other. But these two habits that often occur subconsciously can cause some serious problems in your mouth. Repeatedly clenching or grinding your teeth can cause teeth to chip, break, or crack, requiring restorative dentistry treatment from your dentist in Reno. What’s more, that repetitive movement and pressure of clenching and grinding your teeth can put excessive stress on the jaw joint. Over time, this can cause TMD (temporomandibular disorder), a painful condition that causes jaw popping, jaw pain, or clicking of the jaw. 

Gum Disease – High stress levels may also increase the risk of developing gum disease. Gum disease is a serious infection in the mouth that can lead to tooth loss and other problems throughout the body including heart disease, kidney disease, and even some cancers. Gum disease can be treated and reversed if caught early, but in its more advanced stages, it becomes irreversible. Gum disease is usually the result of poor oral hygiene, but stress can also put you at risk for this concerning problem. If you notice signs of gum disease including red swollen gums, bleeding when your brush or floss, or chronic bad breath, schedule an appointment with your dentist in Reno. 

Canker Sores – We’re all pretty familiar with canker sores — those painful lip sores that seem to pop up from nowhere. While there is no concrete cause behind these pesky pimple-like sores, research conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry suggests a possible correlation between stress and the development of canker sores. Even though these sores can be painful, they’re not contagious and should go away on their own. 

Lower Stress, Protect Your Health

Whenever you’re feeling stressed out, it’s important to try some stress-reducing activities to ease your mind and protect your oral and overall health. Some things you can try include:

  • Sleeping. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep a night to refresh your mind and body. 
  • Exercising. A quick sweat session can release feel-good hormones called endorphins and lower stress. 
  • Meditating. There’s a ton of value in simply taking a few quiet minutes to just breathe. Focusing on your breath can lower your heart rate and make you feel more relaxed. 

Now more than ever, it’s important to do everything we can to manage stress to keep ourselves healthy. So get some sleep, get sweaty, and breathe it out.

All About Orthodontics

Posted on by Dr. Brian Evans

At our dental office in Reno, we’re honored to take care of your family’s smiles. From regular cleanings, fillings, and restorative dentistry, we’re here to ensure healthy grins all around. But what happens if your teeth are crooked or overlap? Is it something to worry about? The truth is, if teeth aren’t straight and lined up correctly, we may recommend orthodontics — and for good reasons. 

Straight Teeth Are Healthier Teeth

Having a set of straight teeth can directly affect both dental health and mental health. Unfortunately, too many people are worried and bothered by crooked teeth-  which can keep them from laughing and smiling with confidence. Getting a straighter smile can transform someone’s self-esteem and boost confidence. 

Crooked teeth are also more difficult to clean properly due to the overlapping and overcrowding. When we aren’t able to properly brush and floss our teeth, our risk for decay, cavities, and even gum disease increases. If not treated quickly, these dental problems can lead to more serious concerns or need for advanced treatment, such as a root canal, fillings or a crown, and even tooth loss.  

Orthodontic issues may also lead to advanced oral health problems as well as whole-body concerns. A smile with uneven teeth can make breathing difficult and could eventually lead to sleep apnea, which is a serious problem. Many sleep apnea sufferers actually stop breathing several times a night! This alone has been linked to constant sleepiness and poor concentration at school or work. Additionally, a misaligned smile may make chewing difficult, contribute to digestive problems, and even diminish bone density in the jaw.  

Straight Teeth May Still Need Orthodontics

The main goal of orthodontics is usually to create a symmetrical, straight smile. However, there are times when a visibly straight grin still needs orthodontics. Why? The bite, or the way the teeth come together, may be off. This is known as malocclusion or a “bad bite.” If left untreated, a misaligned bite could result in pain and long-term complications. It’s best to get an evaluation from your dentist in Reno so that any potential problems are caught and treated before they have a chance to turn into large issues including:

  • Increased risk for chipped teeth
  • Speech impairment in kids
  • Severe headaches
  • Damage to tooth enamel

What Causes Crooked Teeth in the First Place?

Even though crooked teeth are incredibly common, no one thing causes them. Some of the things that can contribute to a crooked smile include: 

  • Poor habits as a child such as thumb sucking
  • Early tooth loss before an adult tooth is ready to erupt
  • A small jaw
  • Facial injury
  • Genetics
  • Mouth breathing
  • Incorrect tongue posture

If you’re unhappy with your smile or are unsure whether you or a family member could benefit from orthodontic treatment, call your Reno dentist for a checkup. Dentists are trained to identify whether a crooked grin may be troublesome and will be able to recommend the best orthodontic treatment for your individual case. 

Trigeminal Nerve

Posted on by Wager-Evans Dental

jaw Your body has numerous nerves throughout that allow you to feel pain and sensation. You even have nerves in your jaw. Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), or jaw joint, is closely associated with the trigeminal nerve. Today, your Reno dentists, Dr. William Wager and Dr. Brian Evans, explain what your trigeminal nerve is and what it has to do with your TMJ.

Continue reading “Trigeminal Nerve” →