Break the Bad Habit

If you have temporomandibular joint disorder, you probably already know your triggers: stress, sinus congestion, and bad posture. But, you may not be aware of the subconscious causes of flare-ups or things that you are doing to trigger painful symptoms unconsciously. These things may not seem at all like triggers but can result in very painful flares. Find out what can cause your TMD symptoms to start up and how Millennium Smiles in Frisco can help.

Tooth Grinding

Tooth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a common event that can make your TMD symptoms worse. About ten percent of the population grind their teeth at night – but many people also do it during the day, too. Tooth grinding can put extra pressure on your jaw joints. How much pressure? About 55 pounds of pressure on your incisors and 200 pounds on your molars when clenched.

If you’re waking up with a sore jaw or teeth, headaches around your temples, or tooth sensitivity, you likely are grinding your teeth at night. Let Dr. Korous know your symptoms and talk about getting a custom fit appliance to help stop bruxism and relieve TMD pain. =

What You Eat

Are you in the habit of chewing gum, gummies, chewy or tough foods, such as taffy or beef jerky? Chewy foods can really be extra work for the jaw, which is a bad thing when you have TMD.

Eating foods that are very crunchy like raw vegetables, chips, pretzels, and granola bars can also make an impact. We’re not saying that you shouldn’t eat your vegetables, however. It’s just a good idea to steam them instead of eating them raw.

Mouth Guards

Wait; what? Wearing a mouthguard can contribute to the worsening of TMD symptoms? Yes! Not custom-fit mouthguards, but over the counter, boil-and-bite mouthguards purchased at the pharmacy or a local sporting goods store. These devices are detrimental to your TMJ function because these devices can disrupt the alignment of your bite and jaw, and can worsen symptoms and cause other issues – like teeth grinding. If you think you need a mouthguard for any reason, call Dr. Korous to talk about your options.

To learn more about TMD and how Millennium Smiles in Frisco can help relieve painful symptoms, give us a call today at 972-468-8771.