TMJ Treatment in Concord, NH

At White Park Dental, we are experts in treating bruxism and TMJ in Concord, NH. If you have been suffering from either of these debilitating conditions, our dental office can help. 

Have You Been Dealing With Any of These Issues?

• Frequent headaches, especially early in the day
• Pain in your jaws
• Loose teeth
• Teeth that appear short or eroded
• A popping or clicking sensation in your jaw joint
• Locking of the jaw joint
• Pain that radiates up into your ears or down your neck into your shoulders

These are all symptoms connected with bruxism and temporomandibular joint disorder. Left untreated, they can make life miserable. Luckily, our general dentists in Concord have many years of experience in treating both conditions and can help you find the relief you seek. 

What Is Bruxism?

Bruxism is the scientific name for chronic grinding and clenching of the teeth. It often occurs at night, and many people aren’t even aware that they do it (although their partners may be able to tell them otherwise).

It’s not uncommon to clench your jaws or grind your teeth when you are under a great deal of stress or upset about something, but when it becomes chronic and constant, it can cause serious problems with your teeth and your bite.

Your jaws are designed to grind down food and can exert an incredible amount of force. This is helpful when you are trying to dismantle a steak or raw carrots, but it’s not so good when this same force is being applied to the teeth in your mouth. It can eventually lead to tooth loss and other conditions, like temporomandibular joint disorder.

Our Concord, NH dentists have been treating bruxism for years. Please give our White Park Dental team a call at (603) 225-4143 to learn more. 

What Is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

The acronyms TMD and TMJ refer to a series of disorders or dysfunctions affecting the lower joint of your jaw. This region is located below your ear, where to jawbone connects to the skull. The symptoms aren’t always the same, but generally, they include pain in or near the joint, a popping or grating sensation when the joint moves, or the joint can even become “stuck.”

Science has not yet determined all the causes of TMD, but some of the ones we see here at White Park Dental can include arthritis in the joint, sudden trauma to the joint, or untreated bruxism. If you suspect you have TMD in Concord, NH, don’t wait to call our dentists and begin treatment immediately. 

How Are These Conditions Treated?

Concord dentist Dr. Harvey can treat your bruxism or TMJ in different ways depending on a number of factors, including the severity of your condition. We’ll always try to understand the root cause behind your condition so that we know how best to focus our treatment.

We often recommend oral devices known as splints for our patients with bruxism and TMJ, which are worn at night. Different kinds of splints (sometimes called night guards) are available, and they work in different ways. For example, if you grind your teeth at night, we may recommend a splint that doesn’t allow your back teeth to touch so that you can’t do any further damage. If you are suffering from TMJ, we may recommend a nightguard that holds your jaw in a neutral position, preventing tension in the joint and relieving your discomfort.

We may also recommend medications to ease pain and discomfort, as well as certain jaw exercises. If your condition is the result of a misaligned bite, we may discuss procedures to properly align the bite and completely eliminate the problem. Since stress is often a factor in teeth grinding and clenching conditions, we often recommend seeing a therapist or licensed counselor who can help you develop coping skills for managing your stress. 

Contact Our Concord, NH Dentists Today

There’s no reason to continue suffering in silence. Contact our general dentists in Concord today at (603) 225-4143 to schedule your dental appointment and find a solution to your problem.