Can Bruxism and TMJ Go Away on Their Own?
30th Jan 2022
If you're living with temporomandibular joint disorder or bruxism, you already know how uncomfortable the grinding and clenching can be. It's only natural to wonder: Can bruxism and TMJ go away on their own? Thankfully, TMJ disorder (TMD) and bruxism don't have to be permanent fixtures in your life. However, adults rarely say goodbye to these conditions without treatment.
Can TMD and Bruxism Go Away Without Treatment?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is occasionally possible for untreated TMJ to go away on its own and without treatment. However, the chances of TMD disappearing without treatment are extremely low. A few lucky individuals who experience bruxism or TMJ as a result of brief bouts of stress may find the condition goes away with the stress that caused it. However, the majority of adults will need to seek treatment.
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The reality is that TMD and bruxism rarely just disappear on their own. Since untreated TMD and bruxism can have disastrous consequences for both your oral and overall health, experts recommend seeking treatment as soon as possible. Addressing underlying causes to identify the best course of treatment is the best way to eliminate harmful teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
What are some common causes of these conditions? As Medical News Today notes, several things can cause bruxism:
- Stress
- Bite misalignments
- Tobacco use or alcohol and caffeine consumption
- Anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions
- Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders
- Sleep apnea and other sleep disorders
- Antidepressants and some other medications
When it comes to common causes, there's a fair bit of overlap between TMD and bruxism, according to WebMD. For starters, stress is often cited as a cause of both conditions. In addition, bruxism is actually considered a cause of TMD. That's because the habitual teeth clenching when you brux can damage your jaw joints, setting the stage for TMD. Other possible causes of TMD include traumatic injury to the jaw joint or arthritis.
What Happens If TMD and Bruxism Go Untreated?
Grinding and clenching your teeth can be downright destructive. It's bad for your dental health. As New Mouth points out, untreated bruxism can cause both minor and major oral health issues:
- Cracked or chipped teeth
- Flattened or shortened teeth
- Loss of enamel causing sensitivity or pain
- Loss of teeth
- Damage to the jaw joints
- Jaw muscle soreness and jaw pain
- Damage to dental restorations
- Ear pain/earaches and headaches
- Facial pain
Your oral health is closely related to your mental and overall health, so leaving TMD and bruxism untreated can have many negative implications on your sleep habits, your relationship, or your wallet. While bruxing may not bring you fully awake, it interrupts your sleep enough to prevent a restful, restorative night. For people with partners, the sounds of bruxism can awaken your sleeping partner and prevent restful sleep for them as well.
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There's also the impact on your budget to consider. As bruxism or TMD progresses, it can cause damage to your smile and your oral health. Fixing that damage can get expensive, especially in severe cases of bruxism or TMJ. The price tag will depend on the type of restoration work needed. If you seek treatment quickly, you may manage your bruxism while keeping your smile intact. If you put off getting treatment until you have extensive damage, you may need dental x-rays, cosmetic dental procedures, and oral surgery to restore your smile.
- Most Popular
- Hard Outside, Soft Inside
- 2MM Thick
- Moderate / Heavy
- Most Durable
- Hard Materials
- 1.5MM Thick
- Heavy / Severe
- For Day Time Use
- Thin, Barely Visible
- 1MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
- For Clenching
- Flexible & Soft
- 1.5MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
What Are Some TMD and Bruxism Treatment Options?
Untreated TMD and bruxism can cause pain and damage your smile. They can make everyday functions like talking and chewing harder and interfere with your ability to get a good night's sleep.
Choosing an effective treatment as soon as possible can help you avoid pain and limit the damage. Fortunately, as Cedars Sinai makes clear, there are several options:
- Mouthguards: Also known as night guards or occlusal splints, these simple devices sit between the upper and lower teeth. A mouth guard for grinding teeth protects the temporomandibular joints and teeth by absorbing the bite force. TMD sufferers have special needs that require working closely with their dentist because they may require specialized splints to reposition the jaw and bite. However, people with bruxism have more options. High-quality custom made night guards for bruxism are available online or through your dentist.
- Botox: Targeted injections of Botox can weaken the muscles involved in bruxing, reducing the force involved and helping to break the habit.
- Muscle relaxants: Muscle relaxants may be prescribed to relax the muscles in the jaw and face. This reduces tension and pain.
- Stress management techniques: With the strong association between stress and bruxism and TMD, mastering stress management and relaxation techniques can be very helpful. Meditation, exercise, and various behavioral techniques can be used.
- Lifestyle changes: Reducing your consumption of alcohol or caffeine or your use of tobacco or certain medications may help. Improving your sleep may also prove beneficial. Try and eliminate chewing gum and tough foods that might lend themselves to jaw tension.
Seeking Bruxism and TMJ Treatment
Ignoring TMJ and bruxism is a bad idea. These painful problems are unlikely to go away on their own, and they can do a lot of damage. However, there are bruxism and TMJ treatments available that let you manage your condition effectively and protect your smile and your oral health. Is a mouthguard part of your treatment plan? If you're looking for a mouthguard for TMD, it's best to see your dentist. If you're searching for a mouthguard for bruxism, check out the selection at Pro Teeth Guard. You'll find custom-fit mouthguards at affordable prices. Each of our high-quality dental devices is crafted in a professional dental lab, and every night guard is guaranteed to fit comfortably with our 110% money-back guarantee.
References:
- Cedar Sinai Writing Staff. (n.d.). Bruxism. Cedars. https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/b/bruxism.html
- Cleveland Clinic Writing Staff. (2021). Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) disorders: Symptoms, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15066-temporomandibular-disorders-tmd-overview
- Hill, A. (2021). What is bruxism? (teeth grinding). NewMouth. https://www.newmouth.com/oral-health/bruxism/
- Lewsley, J. (2021). Bruxism (teeth grinding): Causes and management. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/190180#awake-bruxism
- WebMD Writing Staff. (2021). Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJ & TMD): Overview. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/temporomandibular-disorders-tmd
- Most Popular
- Hard Outside, Soft Inside
- 2MM Thick
- Moderate / Heavy
- Most Durable
- Hard Materials
- 1.5MM Thick
- Heavy / Severe
- For Day Time Use
- Thin, Barely Visible
- 1MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
- For Clenching
- Flexible & Soft
- 1.5MM Thick
- Light / Moderate
