Tooth Grinding and TMD Treatment West Kelowna
Bruxism Treatment
West Kelowna
Recognizing TMD
and Bruxism Symptoms
- Clicking or popping while opening and closing the mouth
- Jaw stiffness or limited range of motion
- Frequent headaches or earaches
- Tender jaw muscles that feel tight or fatigued
- Worn or flattened teeth from grinding at night.
Potential Causes and Effects of TMD/Bruxism
When the jaw joint becomes misaligned or strained, a variety of factors could be at play. Stress, anxiety, and even certain sleeping positions can contribute to bruxism, leading to nightly tooth grinding. Meanwhile, TMD disorder can be triggered by injuries to the jaw, arthritis in the temporomandibular joint, or misaligned teeth that put extra strain on the area.
Left unaddressed, these conditions can cause chronic discomfort, difficulty biting or chewing, and damage to the surrounding structures. Over time, the consistent pressure and inflammation may even affect your overall quality of life. Nobody wants to live with persistent pain or an inability to enjoy everyday activities like eating or speaking comfortably.Brux Guard
and In-Office Consultation
A simple yet effective way to protect your teeth from the effects of bruxism is with a custom-fitted brux guard (also known as a night guard). During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your dental health and discuss your daily habits. We may take impressions or digital scans to ensure the guard fits precisely, reducing stress on the jaw muscles. This comfortable appliance creates a barrier between your teeth, helping to prevent further wear and alleviating the tension that contributes to pain and discomfort.
Our initial assessment also addresses any other factors potentially impacting your TMJ/TMD, including bite alignment and lifestyle considerations. Based on your situation, we’ll determine if a night guard is enough to solve the issue or if additional help is needed.
Exploring Other Treatment Options
In some cases, a brux guard alone may not fully resolve TMJ disorder or bruxism. That’s why we connect patients with additional treatment options and supportive therapies if needed. Depending on your unique case, we might suggest seeing one of our recommended dental specialists, oral surgeons, physiotherapists, chiropractors, or massage therapists. These specialists can help ease tension in the jaw muscles and improve joint alignment. By combining a custom night guard with external therapies, many patients experience a marked improvement in jaw function and symptom relief.
Don’t let TMD or bruxism affect your daily life. At Aura Dental Clinic, we’re dedicated to finding solutions that address the root of your jaw joint discomfort and protect your long-term oral health.