With the current situation in the world, stress and anxiety are going to be on the rise. For patients with TMJ disorders, this means an increase in symptoms and pain. Dr. Sahil Goyal, a dentist in Columbia, MD, offers things to look out for with TMJ disorders and when you need to call the office in the case of a dental emergency.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders are often aggravated by times of stress. This means that your symptoms are going to be more severe as well. These can include:
- Teeth grinding and clenching
- Headaches
- Earaches
- Jaw pain and tenderness
- Popping when you open and close your jaw
- Struggling with chewing or speaking
- Wear and tear on your teeth
If you have a night guard, that can help you at night with subconscious teeth grinding or clenching while you sleep. However, you may not have noticed previous TMJ disorder symptoms, or may not have been bothered by them until the increase in stress.
It’s important to take note of these symptoms and attempt to realize when you’re having these problems. Do you notice yourself clenching your teeth during the day? Work on a method of noticing and working on eliminating the habit, such as snapping a rubber band on your wrist when you notice.
Potential Severe Issues with TMJ Disorders
If you don’t have a night guard, or if you struggle with issues during the day, more and more issues can come with TMJ disorders. With the pressure and wear on your teeth, there’s more of a chance of you needing emergency dentistry. Your teeth can become weaker and repetitive motions on the teeth can break them down further.
The teeth can chip, crack, or break. This can lead from mild or small chips to serious issues with your teeth. If a large chunk breaks off and the tooth root is exposed, this becomes an emergency.
Even during the time of COVID-19, your Columbia, Maryland dentist is still open for emergency services. Call us immediately. Avoid touching the exposed part of your tooth root and attempt to find the broken chunk of the tooth if you can. With many options for fixing chipped or broken teeth, your dentist will figure out the best treatment for your specific case.
TMJ Treatment at Your Dentist in Columbia, MD
Once the pandemic is passed, call us or schedule an appointment online. We’ll analyze your TMJ disorder and determine whether to use a nightguard or orthodontic and restorative options to fix your specific case.