Covid 19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone. The stress which comes with the pandemic and the lockdown has affected every person on the planet. Owing to the rise in covid 19 cases and the anxiety which comes with it, medical researchers have observed an increase in cases of bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorders.

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is medical terminology for habitual and chronic teeth grinding. The leading causes of bruxism are stress and anxiety, which is precisely what is happening during this pandemic. Scientists have seen a remarkable increase in patients who complain of jaw pain and teeth grinding. This is attributed to the stress which comes with the fear of disease, health worries, the loss of work and the inability to meet one’s family and friends because of the global lockdown.

You are likely to experience bruxism and oral pain associated with it if you are dealing with massive stress. This happens to be a natural response of the body under stress. Jaw clenching and teeth grinding generally occurs when you are asleep, you may not even be aware of the fact that you are clenching your teeth.

Symptoms Of Bruxism

Dental professionals all over the world have witnessed the damage the teeth undergo because of bruxism—habitual teeth clenching results in jaw pain. If you wake up every day with jaw pain and an inability to close or open your mouth correctly, you may be suffering from bruxism. You may experience soreness and pain in your temporomandibular joint area, which can even extend to involve the neck. It can also lead to headaches, especially near the temples. You may also notice a grinding sensation and clicking noise when you close or open your mouth.

Teeth clenching also wrecks the teeth’ structure. It leads to rapid wearing down of teeth. This wearing down of the tooth structure makes it prone to fracture even under minimum pressure. It can also expose the tooth’s nerve, causing sensitivity and pain.

However, there various dental procedures which can help cure this problem. Apart from this, focusing on self-care measures and seeking professional help for stress and anxiety reduction will also help you break this damaging habit effectively. Whatever you choose, as your dentists, we are here to help you through your problem and ensure that this is cured. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, contact us or schedule an appointment with us at our dental clinic.

The temporomandibular joint is your jaw joint. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull. It is because of this joint that we can rotate our jaw bone backwards, forwards and side to side. The muscle and ligaments which attach to the temporomandibular joint are what facilitates its movements. It has a complex and intriguing anatomy. When you have a problem with the muscle, ligament of the bone of this joint, it is known as a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).

Treatment For TMD

If you face any of the above symptoms associated with TMD and bruxism, our team of fantastic dental professionals is here to help you. When you schedule an appointment at our clinic, our dentist will perform a complete oral and extraoral examination. They may also advise you to take some X-rays to determine the cause of your issue. If you are diagnosed with TMD, they will create a custom treatment plan for you to address these issues. These treatment plans may include –

NIGHT GUARDS –  night guards keep the upper and lower teeth separate, thus reducing the damage caused by teeth grinding when you sleep. This is made from clear and soft acrylic. It is customized for every individual to ensure a perfect fit. It prevents further damage to the tooth; however, it is not a complete cure.

SPORTS MOUTH APPLIANCE – Many patients also have a habit of grinding their teeth while playing sports or doing any stressful physical activity. A sports mouth appliance in such a case will prevent injury.

PAIN MEDICATION – these can help with the pain and provide temporary relief. However, it is not a long-term cure. It is given to manage pain initially.

Contact our office today with any questions or to book an appointment.

 

DISCLAIMER: The advice offered is intended to be informational only and generic in nature. It is in no way offering a definitive diagnosis or specific treatment recommendations for your particular situation. Any advice offered is no substitute for proper evaluation and care by a qualified dentist.