Teeth grinding and jaw clenching are two common causes of TMJ disorders, as they cause undue pressure on the jaw joint and can result in the person's bite coming altered as well. TMJ in these cases is considered to be caused by mental stress, rather than by physical problems.
When a person is stressed, they may begin to unknowingly grind their teeth and clench their jaw-- and the patient must undertake a number of specific steps in order to control and remove the stress form his everyday life. Most importantly, the patient must also get a custom-made mouth guard which will prevent him from grinding his teeth and putting pressure on them, and help him to break this habit as well.
Here are some detailed steps that you can take to reduce the teeth grinding and jaw clenching which cause TMJ disorders:
1. Stress reduction and relaxing techniques: these include meditation, visualization techniques, yoga, and strenuous exercise. Other techniques may include stress management courses and professional counseling. Acupuncture, massage, and biofeedback have also proven to be effective as well.
2. Adjusting the diet to help reduce stress: limiting the intake of caffeine, sugar, fast foods, processed foods, and frozen foods may lower your stress levels and increase your health. Also, it may be helpful to take calcium 1200 mg at bedtime and pantothenic acid 200 mg daily.
3. Sleep on the back: studies have shown that a high percentage of those who clench their teeth at night sleep on their side. Sleeping on the back has been shown to reduce the habit of clenching their teeth at night.
4. Avoid taking antidepressants: these are often taken with the mistaken belief that they will reduce stress and overall tension, and thus reduce the TMJ teeth grinding. Although they may indeed reduce stress during the day, studies have shown that they actually INCREASE nighttime incidences of teeth grinding significantly, and have even been shown to cause cases of TMJ on their own, when no other previous symptoms existed. If these must be taken, it is important to wear a custom made mouth guard at night.
5. The patient must make a conscious and deliberate effort to avoid teeth grinding and jaw clenching during the day, as this will only make the TMJ disorder worse; in addition to eliminating stress, the patient must take care to notice whenever he feels stress, frustration, anger, or tension, and check to see if the jaw or teeth is clenched. If the problem is particularly severe, you may wish to wear a custom made mouth guard even during the day, removed only when eating or when the patient must speak.
6. A custom made mouth guard from a neuromuscular dentist: the patient must purchase one that is custom made, and not a generic one from a drugstore or online. The cost will range anywhere from $200 to $600, depending on the severity of the problem as well as the dentist himself.
One type of custom made mouth guard is the NTI device, which has the highest success rate (over 90%) of treating the teeth clenching, and should generally be the first choice of any TMJ patient. The device attaches to the two front teeth and prevents the back teeth, both upper and lower, from not touching at all; this device will be made of a thin piece of plastic molded from impression taken of your teeth; it is easy to wear, not cumbersome, small, and of clear plastic, and thus may even be worn during the day. This device must fit perfectly in order to be of any effect. It is crucial to remember that if you do not find relief from this device, then you should try another dentist, as this device is guaranteed to provide relief if fashioned correctly; most unsuccessful devices are either poorly fitting, or are treating cases of TMJ that are not based on teeth grinding. Please seek the care of a second, or even third, dentist if this does not work initially.
7. Lower splints to correct jaw imbalances and also prevent improper chewing and teeth grinding. These are quite effective as well, but again must fit properly in order to be of any effect; they are usually worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and may need to be adjusted monthly. Again, they should provide some, if not complete relief; if you do not have any effect you may need to seek the opinion of a second dentist. Avoid any dentist who suggest upper rather than lower splints as well, as these have proven to be ineffective and cause more damage adversely; these will not address the teeth grinding and jaw clenching causing the TMJ disorder.
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