Bruxism and Night Guards

Many patients at Bishop & Bishop Dental experience some negative effects of bruxism.  Bruxism is the medical term for any regular grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw.  This can be brought on or intensified by stress, but usually stems from having a crooked bite or missing teeth.  Some people grind their teeth consciously, but others only grind their teeth while they sleep at night and may not be aware of it.  Waking up with a stiff or sore jaw could be a sign you are grinding your teeth at night and shouldn’t be ignored.  Contact us for a consultation to see what damage you may be doing.
Whether the teeth grinding is taking place during waking hours or not, chronic teeth grinders often end up needing crowns, bridges, root canals, and in severe cases tooth loss can occur. A custom night guard is the best defense against the dangers of this habit.  We outfit patients with night guards by taking an impression and having a custom fit product made.  A night guard not only protects the grinding surfaces of the teeth but also aligns the jaw and can even help improve sleep!
To learn more about teeth grinding, night guards, and all the services we provide at our practice, visit www.bishopdental.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with Dr. David Bishop at Bishop & Bishop Dental here in Silver Spring, Maryland, call 301-608-9270. 

TMJ Disorders

TMJ is an abbreviation for temporomandibular joint, which is the joint that connects your mandible (lower jaw) to your skull at the temporal bone. While many call disorders associated with this joint, TMJ, those disorders are more appropriately called TMD (temporomandibular disorder), and TMD can have symptoms that range from teeth grinding and headaches to trouble chewing and pain when opening and closing your mouth. TMD is not only an annoying disorder; it is also a destructive one and can cause serious damage to your teeth if left untreated. At our office in Silver Spring, MD, Dr. David Bishop can determine if you suffer from TMD and offer ways to treat the disorder.

The TMJ controls an assortment of jaw functions, including chewing, so if you’re chewing muscles or the joint itself is in pain, it is possible that you have TMD. TMD is often caused by stress, which leads to unconscious clenching and teeth grinding while awake and asleep. TMD’s symptoms include pain, trouble chewing, lock jaw, headaches or ear pain and a popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth. However, these symptoms may be indicative of other health problems as well, so it is important to see a medical professional for a diagnosis.

Grinding your teeth is an especially worrisome TMD-associated behavior since it can lead to further problems with your mouth. If your teeth grinding is left unaddressed, you will cause serious wear to the enamel of your teeth and expose the dentin, which will make your teeth more sensitive to heat and cold and more susceptible to decay. However, you can work with Dr. Bishop to relieve symptoms with mouth guards or night guards.

If you think that you might be suffering from TMD or teeth grinding, schedule an appointment Bishop & Bishop Dental by calling (301) 608-9270. For more information, visit www.bishopdental.com.

TMD and TMJ

TMD and TMJ

Temporomandibular joints, also known as TMJ, provide a connection between the skull and the lower jaw. Most people don’t realize it exists until they start experiencing ear pain or headaches.

Here at Bishop & Bishop Dental, we see many patients who complain of unexplained pain in their jaw and determine they have TMD and TMJ. Dr. David Bishop offers treatment options to help reduce the pain and discomfort of this condition.

 

Treatments for TMD and TMJ include the following options:

 

1. Muscle relaxants and medications

2. Mouth guards

3. TMJ surgery

 

We offer mouth guards as the first option aside from pain relief medications, because many of our patients experience less pain when waking up from grinding their teeth at night. This helps them get through the day much more comfortably. TMD and TMJ surgery is typically only needed in more severe cases or when other treatments don’t work.

 

Visit our clinic in Silver Spring, MD to discuss the different options we offer for TMD and TMJ.