Get an Oral Appliance to Ease Pressure on Your Jaw

If you grind your teeth, it’s possible you do it while you sleep. In addition to jaw pain, clenching and grinding can cause chips, breaks, and other dental damage that may require restorative care.

For your jaw to heal, you must relieve pressure on your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). To do so, we may recommend a splint or other oral appliance. It will:

  • Stop you from grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw
  • Improve the alignment of your teeth
  • Move your jaw into a position that gives your TMJs a chance to heal

We work with a physical therapist who may recommend lifestyle changes and stretching exercises too or other types of physical therapy to make the muscles in your jaw more flexible and relaxed.

Know Your Risk Factors to Get the TMJ Help You Need

TMJ disorders are more common in women than in men, especially women between the ages of 18 and 44. Other risk factors include poor posture, stress, arthritis, jaw injury, and a poorly aligned bite. Depending on how misaligned your bite is, your dentist may also recommend orthodontic treatment like clear aligners or braces.

Call 502-430-3451 or online to make an appointment for TMJ treatment in Louisville, KY. Visit Kirchner Dental of St. Matthews to stop your pain!